OPSEU Health Care members to make donation to striking Vale-Inco workers

SUDBURY, ON, Dec. 16 /CNW/ - OPSEU members of Local 659, representing workers at Sudbury Regional Hospital, the Manitoulin Health Centre and the employees at the Sudbury Vascular Laboratory, will make a $5,000 donation to striking workers of United Steelworkers Local 6500.

WHEN: Thursday, December 17, 2009

WHERE: USW 6500 Hall, 22 Brady St., Sudbury

TIME: 9:30 a.m.

Members of United Steel Workers Local 6500 have been on strike since July as a result of a labour dispute with mining giant Vale-Inco. The company has come to the table with significant takeaways despite the Sudbury operation having been their most profitable mining operation.

As an active community partner, OPSEU Local 659 acknowledges the efforts and determination of their sisters and brothers at USW-6500 and vow to support them in this fight.

"Many of our members have family members on that picket line, and others have friends and relatives who are, have been or will be directly connected to the USW membership," says Yves Shank, president of OPSEU Local 659. "It is time, particularly during the holiday season, for us and other members of the community to show our support in more concrete ways. We hope this donation will help these members maintain their resolve against a regressive, mean and punitive employer."

For further information: Yves Shank, President, OPSEU Local 659, [phone]; Denis Boyer, OPSEU Regional Staff Representative, [phone]