Canadian politicians from all levels of government are intensifying demands for a negotiated settlement in the 9-month Vale Inco strike, according to a recent statement by the United Steel Workers.
In recent days, federal, provincial and municipal politicians have stepped up criticism of Brazil-based Vale's anti-labor agenda, including its recruitment of "scabs" to try to break the strike by 3,500 Canadian mine workers.
Rather than engage in good-faith collective bargaining, Vale is demanding huge concessions from its Canadian workers in the provinces of Ontario and Newfoundland-Labrador. Workers in the Ontario communities of Sudbury and Port Colborne have been on strike since July 13, 2009, while their counterparts in Voisey's Bay, N.-L. have been on the picket lines since Aug. 1 of last year.
The provincial government of Newfoundland-Labrador and the territorial government of Nunavut have both called upon Vale Inco to negotiate a new collective agreement with striking workers in Voisey's Bay.
Newfoundland-Labrador's New Democratic Party--an opposition party in the provincial legislature--is demanding the government enact anti-scab legislation to prevent Vale from recruiting scabs to try to break the strike at Voisey's Bay.
In the Ontario legislature, a private member's bill to enact anti-scab legislation in the province passed first reading on April 29. The bill, introduced by the opposition New Democratic Party, still must pass second and third reading before becoming law. If passed, the legislation will outlaw Vale's strike-breaking agenda of scab recruitment.
This week, Vale finds itself before the Ontario Labour Relations Board--a provincial government tribunal--to defend itself against bad-faith bargaining complaints filed by the United Steelworkers. Vale is accused of violating its legal duty to bargain in good faith, by refusing to legitimately negotiate with the union for several months.
Also in Ontario, the municipal government of the City of Greater Sudbury has condemned Vale's use of scabs and its refusal to negotiate in good faith. Vale also has been charged with violating municipal regulations by housing scabs in unapproved, non-residential accommodations.
City councillors voted unanimously on April 28 to demand that Vale return to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair settlement. Councillors also called on the Ontario government to act quickly to enact anti-scab legislation.
Vale Inco has a "responsibility to show leadership and good faith, and to make every reasonable effort to end the strike," the councillors stated in their unanimous resolution.
Councillors harshly criticized Vale for provoking the longest-ever strike at the Inco mines and for prolonging the strike with its unprecedented decision to operate with scabs.
To add insult to injury, Vale "brags day in and out that it is ramping up production" with the use of scab labor, councillors protested.
At the federal level, a majority of politicians in the Canadian Parliament have passed a resolution calling for stronger legislation to prevent foreign corporate takeovers that do not benefit Canadian workers and communities.
Under Canadian law, foreign takeovers, such as Vale's 2006 purchase of Inco Ltd., are supposed to provide a "net benefit" to Canadians and the domestic economy. But Canada's Conservative government has failed to enforce the law, allowing Vale's takeover of Inco, as well as many other takeovers that have resulted in massive job losses, lost industrial production and significant damage to Canadian communities.
The newly-passed resolution was sponsored by the opposition New Democrats, who have repeatedly rebuked Vale for its scab recruitment and its refusal to negotiate in good faith with its Canadian workers.