BY MAREK KRASUSKI
Roaring proclamations of solidarity echoed through Sudbury’s Steelworkers Hall Tuesday as union officials from Canada, Mozambique, Brazil and New Caledonia signed the unprecedented and historic Sudbury Unity Accord.
The declaration, which was authored by members of the United Steelworkers across Canada, forms the basis of a “global union network and a united front in dealing with CVRD,” the Brazilian based mining giant with worldwide investments.
Surrounded by workers from the various countries with CVRD operations, United Steelworkers President Leo W. Gerard declared intentions to ensure all CVRD employees are treated with respect and dignity.
“We want to make sure our active workers can go to work safely, earn a decent living, and ultimately have jobs for their kids and grandkids,” he said.
The Sudbury Unity Accord enshrines five principles designed to achieve greater parity for CVRD workers in countries that do not necessarily enjoy the benefits of workers in developed nations.
Muscular collective agreements that bring higher wages, CVRD investments in community development, safer workplaces, respect for human rights, access to information about corporate acquisitions, and the elimination of corporate outsourcing of work define the thrust of the accord.
John Fera, President of Sudbury’s United Steelworkers Local 6500, endorsed the document as a watershed instrument that addresses quality of life issues.
“The problems workers face are huge. They live in countries where their governments allow companies to strip the land,” he said, citing additional persistent threats.
Unlike CVRD operations elsewhere, union members and management at Sudbury’s CVRD-Inco operations enjoy a good working relationship, evidenced by the participation of Chief Operating Officer, Mark Cutifani.
John Fera described Cutifani as a man with a passion for safety issues and genuine interest in the advancement of workers’ well being.