Read this article in:
25 August, 2008
Workers and their trade union leaders from Brazilian national mining giant Vale met in the Canadian province of Manitoba on 12-13 August to renew solidarity relationships. In 2006, Vale bought key Canadian nickel mining interests, and the United Steelworkers (USW) in North America and Brazilian trade unions forged immediate ties.
Two weeks ago, USW hosted five Brazilian unions in Thompson, Manitoba, just as USW Local 6166 there begins its first bargain with Vale Inco in renewal talks for 1,200 steelworkers. Their contract expires on 15 September.
USW local branch delegations in Canada also attended from Voisey Bay, Labrador, and Sudbury and Port Colburne, both in Ontario.
The Canadian and Brazilian trade unionists were renewing the “Sudbury Accord,” a document signed to build global bargaining power around Vale’s operations following CVRD’s 2006 acquisition of Inco.
“It is important for us to be here to personally offer our support to the bargaining committee and members of Local 6166,” stated Eduardo Pinto from Sindicato dos Ferroviarios do Maranhoa-MA (CNTT) of Brazil.
He said the meetings identified ways that Brazilian unions can place pressure on Vale management to in support of Local 6166’s bargaining platform.
Added Jorge Campos, of Brazilian Sindimina-RJ (CNTSM), “We understand the value of global union solidarity.” When we signed the “Sudbury Accord,” he said, the partners knew the value of supporting “each other in the collective bargaining process.”
“It has been especially interesting and valuable to learn about the strategies of Brazilian trade union leaders in dealing with Vale management,” said USW Local 6166 President Les Ellsworth. He said workers in Thompson have learned of Brazilian union efforts to build community support around environmental and balanced economic development issues.
USW District Three Director Steve Hunt called the Thompson meetings “another milestone” in finding further commonalities with Brazilian unions. He cited profit-sharing programmes, health and safety, and relationships with respective communities.
The Brazilian company’s assets in Manitoba consist of two nickel mines, a smelter, mill, and refining unit.