The communities of Flin Flon and Snow Lake in Northern Manitoba are trying to cope with a mine strike. While both sides say they are ready to return to the bargaining table, a union official says there is a lot of ground to cover before labour peace can be re-established.
Rene Beauchamp is the local president of the international association of machinists and aerospace space workers. He says working relationships at the mine have been strained for a long time.
“We have had so many issues with this company over the last number of years. I have been president for 20 years and they just do not want to get along with labour. The morale has been driven into the ground and now they are driving this company into the ground.” He says
The mine, which is owned by Hudbay Minerals produces zinc, copper, as well as some gold and silver. In all, the company has more than 14 hundred employees in Manitoba and four mining operations. The strike affects 180 workers at two of the mine sites.
A company spokesman, issued a statement saying management is keeping the mines open through a contingency plan but declined our requests for an interview.
Beauchamp says he is not sure what the plan is but it does not seem to be working.
“Well their contingency plan, I believe it is failing terribly.” He says
The striking workers are employed as heavy duty mechanics, pipefitters and machinists. They began their strike at noon on Saturday.