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CAW wants conditions before Inco/Falco merger

BY ROBERT TAGLIALEGNE The Sudbury Mine Mill/CAW union held a conference Wednesday in the midst of speculation as to how the Inco/Falconbridge merger will affect the local economy, to explain the repercussions of the merger to its members.
BY ROBERT TAGLIALEGNE

The Sudbury Mine Mill/CAW union held a conference Wednesday in the midst of speculation as to how the Inco/Falconbridge merger will affect the local economy, to explain the repercussions of the merger to its members.

Although the CAW has not endorsed or opposed the merger, the union does say that conditions should be in place to ensure the area's economy and social fabric are not harmed by the fusion.

Jim Stanford, a CAW economist, said that without conditions in place before the merger is consummated, ?there would be head count reductions of salaried and unionized workers (at the two companies) and truck drivers,? as the companies focus their investments in overseas projects seen by the companies to be less costly than those in the Sudbury region.

The union suggests negotiating a merger plan to protect the region?s economy by ensuring that the joined company commit to making investments in Canada, maintaining the companies? workforce and using local suppliers and services.

Another concern of the CAW is that if the merger does go through, the combined company itself could be the target of a takeover. Consolidation has been occurring in the industry for the last few years as metal and mineral prices increase and demand from China rise.

The conference was held at the Radisson Hotel and was attended by about 75 union members.

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