Vale's Massive Profits A Slap in the Face to NL Workers

HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, NL, Oct. 29 /CNW/ - Mining giant Vale's latest record-breaking profit report is a stunning condemnation of this foreign corporation's shameful treatment of Newfoundland and Labrador workers.

"This is corporate greed, plain and simple," says Wayne Fraser, the United Steelworkers (USW) union's director for the Atlantic provinces and Ontario.

"Vale boasts a record, $6-billion profit for the third quarter, but it still refuses to offer a fair settlement to a 15-month labour dispute with its Newfoundland and Labrador workers," Fraser says.

"Vale raked in more profit in only three months than our government could afford to spend on services and programs for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador for an entire year," notes USW staff representative Boyd Bussey.

"Yet Vale would have us believe it can't afford to offer the workers of our province, including many aboriginal working families, the same deal reached recently with its Ontario employees."

The Steelworkers, representing workers at Vale's Voisey's Bay operations, have repeatedly offered to settle the 15-month strike by accepting the same deal Vale reached this summer with its Ontario workers. Vale has refused to offer the same deal, preferring to see the 455-day labour dispute continue unless Newfoundland and Labrador workers accept a lesser contract.

"Once again, Vale's position has been blatantly discredited," says Fraser. "Clearly, there is no justification - economic or otherwise - for Vale to deny working families in Newfoundland and Labrador the fairness, respect and dignity they deserve."

For further information:

Wayne Fraser, USW District 6 Director, 416-243-8792, 416-577-4045;/
Boyd Bussey, USW Staff Representative, 709-753-0864, 709-727-8632