According to Reuters, a provincial mediator has become involved in contract talks between Xstrata Nickel and the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union in Greater Sudbury.
The current collective agreement, which covers more than 1,000 employees working in mines, mills and smelters, expires Jan. 31. The date set for a strike authorization vote is Jan. 16. This is the first time the CAW in Greater Sudbury has had to negotiate with Xstrata, which took control of Falconbridge Ltd. in August 2006.
Reuters said the two parties swapped contract proposals about three weeks ago and have been at the bargaining table since. Negotiations are said to be centered on contract language.
