Human Resources, Labour
and Employment
October 23, 2010
Last Minute Talks
Unable to Resolve Voisey's Bay Strike
The
Provincial Government confirms today that an Industrial Inquiry
Commission into the ongoing labour dispute between the United
Steelworkers Local 9508 and Vale Newfoundland and Labrador Limited will
proceed and that a review into the matters impacting this strike shall
commence immediately.
"The Provincial Government is profoundly disappointed that the United
Steelworkers and Vale have failed to resolve this dispute," said the
Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and
Employment and Minister Responsible for the Labour Relations Agency.
"Parties have been given full access to the conciliation and mediation
support of the Labour Relations Agency and the assistance of an
independent mediator, and yet they have been unable to put aside their
differences and find a solution that is satisfactory to both sides."
Two
weeks ago, the Provincial Government imposed a deadline on the parties
to settle the labour dispute or face the scrutiny of an Industrial
Inquiry Commission. That deadline has now passed.
On
October 19, the Provincial Government announced that the Industrial
Inquiry Commission would comprise John F. Roil, Q.C., as Inquiry
Chairperson, and Randell Earle, Q.C., and Brian R. Gatien as Inquiry
Members.
"We were hopeful a resolution would
be reached this weekend when the parties came back to the table for
a final round of talks; however, since an agreement has not been
reached we have no further recourse than to proceed with an
Industrial Inquiry and undertake a review of this dispute," said
Minister Sullivan.
The
Industrial Inquiry Commission will examine and provide recommendations
that will address the following industrial matters:
(i) The
positions of the parties in relation to the outstanding collective
bargaining issues;
(ii)
The
factors which have led to the existing labour-management relations
climate at the Voisey's Bay project site in Labrador and options to
improve these relations;
(iii) The
identification of local, provincial, national or international
matters that may be contributing factors in this dispute;
(iv) A
discussion of any impacts this dispute may be having on other
labour-management relationships;
(v) A
discussion of the ramifications of this dispute, and its costs to
the Province and the parties involved;
(vi)
The
options to resolve this dispute, including proposed terms of
settlement, should the parties fail to conclude a collective
agreement before the filing of the Commission's report; and,
(vii) Other
matters the Commission may deem appropriate.
The
Provincial Government is requesting that the inquiry complete its report
within two months.
"The appointment of an Industrial Inquiry Commission is an extraordinary
step on our government's part and is a measure that we believe
demonstrates both the seriousness of this matter and our concern with
this protracted strike and the effects it is having on the people of
Newfoundland and Labrador," concluded Minister Sullivan.
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Media contact:
Bradley Power
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 699-5707
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca
2010 10 23 |