The conclusions in an industrial inquiry commission's first report on the ongoing strike between Vale and its employees in Voisey's Bay makes conclusions the company doesn't agree with, according to a press release from the company.
In its press release, Vale states it "disagrees with the overall conclusions and direction of the report" and "the report's recommendations have been made without the benefit of a full inquiry on all of the issues."
The company took issue with the contract duration. If the company followed the report's recommendation, the contract expiration would again align with that of employees in Greater Sudbury, something it wants to avoid.
"We are not going to have our people and our business go through a prolonged strike all over again," the press release stated.
The press release said the United Steelworkers Local 9508, which represents workers in Voisey's Bay, has shifted its bargaining position repeatedly throughout the bargaining process.
When Vale provided a five-year agreement, which it said was the USW's preferred position, the USW representatives rejected the offer.
The press release went on to state Vale had offered a wage increase greater than in the counter-proposal from the USW, and said the company remains flexible on remaining issues.
Except allowing contracts of its employees in Voisey's Bay and in Ontario to expire around the same time.
"The USW is willing to accept less money for their members — our employees — to secure a common contract expiry with Ontario," the press release alleged.
Local 9508 has been on strike since August 2009. Employees in Greater Sudbury and Port Colborne, Ont., settled a strike in July, just days short of one year.
The report can be viewed online at http://www.gov.nl.ca/LRA/voisey_bay.html.
