Jim Kmit area coordinator with United Steelworkers Local 2020 will be filing a "direct difference" against Vale Inco after they rescinded their retirement program.
The company had drawn up an irrevocable document where 350 eligible workers worldwide could sign up for early retirement provided they had 29 or more years with the company said Kmit. Most of those eligible are in the Sudbury operations. Submission were to be in by Dec. 15., but now, Vale Inco is rescinding and revising their program.
"The company should not have the right to withdraw from the retirement program," said Kmit.
"They drew up the document. If it is irrevocable for members then it should be irrevocable for the company."
An estimated 30 workers signed up in the technical area and he has heard approximately 100 people total submitted forms that will now be revoked.
As far as Kmit is concerned "there are two significant decisions people make in their life: one is marriage and the other is retirement."
Families have began retirement preparation only to have the rug pulled from underneath them, he said.
The grievance will be lodged and Kmit expects a mediator will come to some resolution somewhere down the line.
Vale Inco pulled back on the retirement program when officials realized after cutting contract and temporary workers, they would have gaps in key departments that will need to be filled by the people who could be eligible for retirement, says one lucky soon-to-be pensioner.
“They cannot afford to let people go,” he said.
An estimated 20 employees from the corporate office will be granted pension approval, but since the company is rescinding the program and revising it for a better company fit "you never know."
Northern Ontario Business did not receive a response from the company in time prior to publication.
