Labrador West workers discussing plan for more local jobs at IOC mine

Workers at the Iron Ore Company in Labrador West will meet Tuesday night to discuss a union proposal that hopes to give more mine jobs to local workers.

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Ron Thomas, the president of the Steelworkers Union in Labrador City, said all members of the union will meet over the next two days to discuss the proposal.  They've been concerned that an increasing number of jobs in the area are going to contractors at the mine instead of workers nearby.

He said the union is endorsing the proposal, and the main goal is to reduce the number of contractors doing work onsite — and allow for more of that work to go to local union members.

Thomas said the IOC has been increasing their use of contractors for jobs at the mine across the board.

But what pushed union members over the edge, he said, was that contractors were brought in for the first time to actually haul the ore from the mine — operating trucks and equipment usually used by union members. 

Local MHA supports hiring push

Labrador West MHA Graham Letto said on Tuesday that he's been made aware of the proposal and is supportive of the push to hire more local workers.

"What I understand is that the company is looking for a labour pool that they can access when and if they need it on a short, emergency basis," he said.

"We are working very hard to get Wabush back on track and we certainly look to do everything we can to make sure that IOC continues to operate and provide meaningful employment for as many local people as possible and that's the key here is to make sure that the labour pool are local employees."

Thomas said that if the proposal passes, it will allow for more local hiring.

A vote will be held by union members on Thursday, and Thomas said the proposal will need a 51 per cent majority to go ahead.