Community leaders ask for 'silence' in lead up to negotiations

A group of citizens and politicians called the “Committee of Community Leaders” is calling upon those involved in the labour dispute between Vale and Steelworkers Local 6500 to focus their energies on the upcoming talks, and refrain from “public comment and initiating distractions.”

Vale confirmed its participation in mediated talks with Local 6500 on May 26.

“Specifically, the group is calling up union, company, media and government representatives, as well as the community at large, for seven days of silence in the lead up to the resumption of mediated talks,” stated a press release from the Committee of Community Leaders.

The committee was formed last month, and has met several times since.

The press release said it is a group of people who have come together to advocate for a contract between the Steelworkers and Vale, and promote health and unity in the Sudbury community.

They aim to do this by identifying issues which may impede a contract settlement, influencing appropriate sectors and persons, finding creative ways to promote community health and looking beyond the labour dispute to a healthy community.

The group's membership includes:

-Michael Cullen, executive director of the United Way of Sudbury
-Janet Gasparini, executive director of the Social Planning Council of Sudbury and city councillor for Ward 11
-France Gélinas, MPP for Nickel Belt
-Claude Gravelle, MP for Nickel Belt
-Denis Hubert, president of Collège Boréal
-Dr. Rayudu Koka, chair of the Greater Sudbury Police Services board and consulting psychiatrist
-Gerry Lougheed Jr., managing director of Lougheed Funeral Homes
-Rev. Jeremy Mahood, All Nations Church
-Steve Miller, chief of the Whitefish Lake First Nation
-Jean Louis-Plouffe, bishop of Sault Ste. Marie
-John Rodriguez, mayor of Greater Sudbury
-Dr. Denis Roy, president and CEO of Sudbury Regional Hospital
-Kevin Serviss, pastor at Glad Tidings Tabernacle
-Glenn Thibeault, MP for Sudbury