The Ministry of Labour has ruled Falconbridge Ltd. contravened provincial laws by cutting back on the number of first aid attendants on duty at mines and plants.
Union officials from Local 598 of the Mine Mill/CAW and United Steelworkers of America Local 2020 launched a joint complaint in early August and the Ministry of Labour rendered its decision earlier this week.
The complaint filed related to the reduction of first aid attendants at the Falconbridge Onaping area mining operations.
The complaint was filed after internal communications between the unions and management failed to resolve the issue.
Falconbridge had reduced the number of first aid attendants from two to one per shift. The complaints were filed under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulations for Mines and Mining Plants, and the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.
The ministry has ordered Falconbridge to reinstate two attendants per shift, effective Oct. 11, in order to allow the company time to hire or recall necessary staff.
Close to 1,000 workers are affected by this decision and the favourable ministry ruling will ensure workers have emergency response available to them in time of need, said Local 598 president Rick Grylls.
