Community leaders and business owners returned to their offices today eager for word about the Steelworkersandapos; strike at Inco Ltd., which started Sunday morning.
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The strike will affect the almost 300 mining supply and service companies in the area, as well as businesses which cater to striking Steelworkersandapos; families.
United Steelworkersandapos; Local 6500, about 3,300 workers, walked off the job at 12:01 am Sunday.
An Inco spokesperson told reporters last week the company does not have plans to use replacement workers during the labour dispute.
Unionized office, clerical, technical workers were expected to report to work today. They are represented by another Steelworkersandapos; local.
Ninety-five per cent voted last Friday to reject the companyandapos;s contract offer which covers 3,300 employees in Sudbury. One hundred and seventy workers at Incoandapos;s Port Colborne refinery, west of Toronto are also on strike.
The issues are pensions and health care benefits for retirees. Many of the Steelworkers on strike are nearing eligible retirement age.
Steelworkersandapos; labor contract expired without a new agreement with Inco after about two months of talks.
Leo Gerard, United Steelworkersandapos; international president and a native of Sudbury, joined the picket line Sunday.
Sudburyandapos;s operation produces about nine per cent of the worldandapos;s nickel supply.
The company has been struggling with rising production and labour costs, particularly escalating energy and pension costs, and the strengthening Canadian dollar which impacts cash costs that are calculated in American dollars.
News of the strike hoisted London-traded base metal prices, with nickel leading and copper in New York also rising on concerns about Incoandapos;s metal supplies to the American northeast.
