Voisey's Bay negotiations break down

Negotiations aimed at resolving the 17-month strike at the Voisey's Bay nickel mine collapsed today after mining giant Vale walked away from talks, according to a press release from the United Steelworkers union.

“We are incredibly frustrated and disappointed at this turn of events,” Boyd Bussey, a United Steelworkers staff representative involved in the negotiations, said in the press release.

“After more than 17 months, we came to these talks hoping to finally see a mutual commitment from Vale to reach a fair settlement and bring an end to this dispute.”

Steelworkers Local 9508 and Vale last met at the bargaining table in October. The parties resumed discussions Jan. 6 with the assistance of a mediator appointed by the Newfoundland and Labrador government.

The breakdown in negotiations comes one day before the scheduled public release of a provincial government inquiry report on the labour dispute. The government has indicated the report will include proposed terms of settlement of the strike.