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14 February, 2011
Members of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 9346 went on strike at 20h on Sunday, 30 January, following a break down in contract negotiations with management at the Elkview metallurgical coal mine in south-eastern British Columbia, Canada. The mine is operated by Teck Coal Ltd., a subsidiary of Canada's largest diversified mining company, Teck.
Workers have been without a contract since the previous agreement expired on 31 October 2010. Talks, on-going since last September, broke off on 30 January after management delivered an unacceptable offer to Local 9346’s bargaining committee. The committee could not recommend members to accept the package since it failed to address key demands of the union. The main issues for the union that were not included in the company’s offer relate to an increase in employer contributions to its employee-registered pension plan and the extension of medical benefits to retirees.
Of 620 union members voting, 609 voted in favour of a strike, sending a strong message to Teck Coal that they must seriously address these issues. The total workforce at the Elkview mine is 850. Local 9346, led by President Chris Nand, represents heavy equipment operators, maintenance workers, and labourers.
There are no talks scheduled, although Local 9346's Nand has made it clear to Teck that the bargaining committee stands ready to negotiate with management.
Other outstanding issues for the union that the company refuses to address in their offer are: Christmas Shutdown, a sunset clause on certain contractual language, stat pay for 10- and 12-hour shifts, dental plan improvements, retroactive pay starting from 1 November 2010, and improvements to vacation time.
During the strike, the union is paying the members’ medical insurance, as well as strike pay.
Teck reported last week a profit of US$361 million for the quarter ending 31 December. The Elkview mine has an annual capacity of 5.6 million tonnes of coal production, second to Teck’s Fording River mine, 100 kilometres north of Elkview, which has an annual output of 8 million tonnes. The collective agreement at Fording River expires 30 April.