United Steelworker (USW) local unions representing Teck employees at three mines and the smelter operations in British Columbia support the latest measures by Teck Resources to ensure health and safety of employees and communities and to combat COVID-19.
Teck Resources Limited announced a two-week reduction of its crews to 50% regular levels, at six operations, including Elkview, Coal Mountain (USW 9346), Fording River (USW 7884) and Highland Valley Copper (USW 7619). Importantly, members who are available for work will be paid as usual.
While there are no confirmed COVID-19 cases in these mines, USW views the latest steps by Teck as critical to maintaining preventative measures such as disinfecting, eliminating group gatherings, reducing bus occupancy, screening contractors and visitors and keeping social distancing in effect.
Operations continue at the Trail Smelter operations (USW 480 and USW 9705) under the same preventative measures. USW locals are aware of the need to ensure ongoing site safety of the mines and smelter and will work to ensure that it is protected.
This morning, all USW Teck locals met by conference call to share best practices and ideas on how to implement these temporary reductions best. As USW locals work with Teck to achieve these safety imperatives, there will undoubtedly be hiccups. We will protect members’ rights but work co-operatively to preserve the health and safety of our members and communities.
As Steelworkers, we believe health and safety is the most paramount issue every day on the job. In a global pandemic, that extends to our family and neighbours. If we think Teck or any employer needs to step up prevention and social distancing measures, we will continue to take up each situation case by case, site by site, local by local and as United Steelworkers, to protect the health and safety of our members and communities.
While we are working with Teck to avoid layoffs, all of us and our families are experiencing the social and economic impacts of COVID-19. We all have a role to play in flattening the curve and stopping the spread of this pandemic. Let’s spread solidarity instead!
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