BÉCANCOUR, Que. – Locked-out Quebec Steelworkers at the ABI aluminum smelter in Bécancour are denouncing a “vindictive and unproductive” approach adopted by the company as negotiators were called back to the bargaining table by a government mediator.
Company negotiators admitted they did not have a mandate to reach a settlement, going so far as to rescind their previous contract offer made on Jan. 10, said Clément Masse, President of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 9700, representing the 1,030 locked-out ABI employees.
“This is a slap in the face to each and every worker. After forcing us onto the street for two months, they are now telling us that what they previously offered will not even be used as a basis to seek as settlement,” Masse said.
“They claim to want to hear suggestions from us, but we’re operating in a vacuum. It’s unfortunate that representatives of this employer don’t have the decency to commit to a reasonable, basic standard expected in collective bargaining.”
Union negotiators entered today’s mediated bargaining session by confirming their willingness to engage in meaningful discussions over the key stumbling blocks – pensions and seniority issues, Masse said.
“Today we felt there was no desire from the employer to negotiate in any meaningful way. They indicated vindictiveness for the workers’ rejection of their previous contract offer. It’s the same reaction we’ve had from them since they locked us out. They’re losing money due to their decision and they’re trying to shift the blame on us,” he said.
“When the time comes that they are prepared to meaningfully discuss resolutions to the outstanding issues, we’ll be pleased to work with them in a productive way. Until then, the workers are standing together, moral is good,” he added.
The ABI smelter in Bécancour, the second-largest of its kind in North America, is co-owned by Alcoa (75%) and Rio Tinto (25%). The two multinationals locked out employees on Jan. 11.
“From the union’s standpoint, we are making it clear to shareholders of these two companies that their management have been making bad financial decisions,” Masse said.
“We also want shareholders to know that this is our plant, too. We take pride in our work and we take pride in our plant. It’s heartbreaking to see what management has been doing. We continue to hope that they will soon come to their senses and commit to a settlement of this dispute so we can get back to doing what we do best – making high-quality aluminum.”
Clairandrée Cauchy, Syndicat des Métallos/USW Communications, 514-774-4001, ccauchy@metallos.ca
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