The world's largest iron ore mining company, Vale SA, announced Monday that it has reached a five-year collective agreement with United Steelworkers (USW) Local 9508 to end a strike that began in August, 1, 2009 at Vale's mine and steelmaking operations at Voisey's Bay, Labrador.
With the ratification of the agreement, employees are expected to get back to work within seven weeks following the completion of training and reorientation classes.
"We are very pleased that our mine and mill operations employees have ratified the new Collective Agreement and we look forward to their return to work and the resumption of normal operations," said Tom Paddon, General Manager of Vale's operations in Newfoundland and Labrador. "It has been a very long and challenging time for everyone involved and we are pleased that that the strike is finally behind us," Paddon said.