Vale CEO Roger Agnelli accused the United Steelworkers of America being conflict-oriented towards the Brazilian miner in their recent year-long strike at their nickel mining and processing operations in Sudbury and Port Colborne.
The union voted 75.5 per cent in favour of a five-year deal on July 8, ending a strike by 3,100 members that lasted one week shy of a year.
In a company newsletter, July 16, Agnelli said United Steelworkers “has a long record of conflicts and strikes with the former Inco” with more than half of all negotiations leading to long strikes in Canada and around the world.
He accused the Steelworkers of not being willing to accept change and for trying to “export” the conflict to other Vale operations.
“It never crossed our minds to renounce them. We have been patient because we know what we want: a sustainable long-term future.”
Agnelli said the new deal, which includes a new defined contribution pension plan for new employees, pay based on performance, removes “restrictions and interference in managing the company.”
With the strike concluded, Agnelli said Vale can now proceed with its investment program in Canada, which includes the Totten Mine, the company's first new mine in 35 years.
Agnelli said Vale prioritizes the hiring of local workers and suppliers wherever they establish operations and will contribute to community development.
He said the company will soon be back at the bargaining table with strkers at Voisey's Bay, who have been on the picket line for a year. “There too, we hope to resolve the conflict in a manner that allows the nickel business to align with Vale's other business units as quickly as possible....”
