Security guards at mining giant Vale join the Steelworkers

Security guards working at Vale’s mining operations in Sudbury became Steelworkers in September after voting overwhelmingly to join the USW. The 49-member bargaining unit includes permanent and casual employees alike.

The security guards demonstrated tremendous solidarity during their organizing process, ensuring there would be no opportunity to divide the group, and that permanent and casual employees would stand together in their desire to join the union.

The security guards’ engagement and solidarity were evident during the voting process on whether or not to unionize, with 100% of eligible workers turning out to deliver an overwhelming result in favour of joining the Steelworkers.

These new Steelworkers are now members of USW Local 2020, an amalgamated local that is one of the largest in the entire union.

Next steps for the new members will include training for leaders of their bargaining unit, electing a bargaining committee and setting their priorities for negotiations with the company. The union will provide its full support and resources to ensure the new members achieve a fair collective agreement that recognizes their contributions to the company’s success and safe operations.

Welcome to the Steelworkers!

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