21 January, 2010Canadian miners are protesting the Swiss mining company's plans to close its copper and zinc operations, calling on government to intervene.
CANADA: The Canadian Auto Workers' Union (CAW) is demanding that the federal government release the details of the agreement it made with Xstrata when it took over Falconbridge in 2006, to see if that deal is violated by Xstrata's plans to close its copper and zinc operations at Kidd Creek, near Timmins, Ontario.
The Switzerland-based company's December 7, 2009 announcement of the closures has sparked a massive campaign by the CAW in an effort to save 500 of the union's members' jobs, another 170 Xstrata employees and 200 workers hired on contract. The CAW estimates additional 3,000 - 4,000 jobs will be lost in Timmins and surrounding communities due to the proposed closures.
"Canadians deserve to know exactly what was in that 2006 agreement," said CAW President Ken Lewenza. The CAW will press for government action to reverse the closure decision, if indeed, as is expected, the 2006 deal required Xstrata to continue operating value-added facilities.
In a letter to Xstrata CEO Mick Davis, International Metalworkers' Federation general secretary Jyrki Raina called on the company to "postpone taking such drastic measures and allow for constructive dialogue between the CAW, Xstrata and community leaders in an effort to explore alternative long-term solutions that will prove beneficial to all parties."
The CAW, workers, their families and community members held a rally on January 17 to show solidarity with the workers facing lay-off and activate the community in how they can take action against the closures. Rally participants were asked to contact their government representatives and explain how the lay-offs would impact their families and community.
The CAW campaign titled "Our Resources Stay Here" is similar to the fight the United Steelworkers (USW) has launched against Brazilian-owned mining giant Vale in nearby Sudbury, Ontario. The CAW has supported USW Local 6500 on picket lines and with financial support in its current six-month strike against Vale Inco, and it has also joined USW in calling on the Canadian Parliament to enact legislation that would give transparency to deals made under the Investment Canada Act.
For more information about the CAW's struggle against Xstrata, go to the union local's website at: http://www.caw599.ca/