Labrador union workers fire back at IOC criticism of skipping shifts
The United Steelworkers union is firing back at the Iron Ore Company of Canada, after being accused of skipping shifts and lowering production at its mine in Labrador City.
"It's a smoke signal, is what it is," said Ron Thomas, president of United Steelworkers Local 5795.
Thomas said due to heavy workloads, at any one time 15 to 20 per cent of union workers on site are there because of forced overtime.
"Our members are being forced to work extra shifts beyond the regular scheduled scheduled shifts. And if they're not showing up for their shifts for any particular reason, whether it be for sickness or maternity, they're putting it towards absenteeism," he told CBC Radio's Labrador Morning.
Thomas refutes the criticism from IOC president and CEO Kelly Sanders, who made the absentee statements Monday in an all-staff memo announcing the proposed Wabush 3 mine had been put on hold.
"It's extremely frustrating that you got a CEO that comes out deliberately, blaming our workers for the issues going on at IOC today," Thomas said.
'Running this company into the ground'
Thomas said IOC has expanded its operations with new equipment, but never increased its unionized workforce to keep pace.
"What that actually does is make our members work more hours in order to keep everything running," he said.
"[IOC is] running this company to the ground and they're destroying our town."
Thomas admits the relationship between the union and IOC is a tense one, with "very little communication" between the two sides, and 3,500 grievances in the midst of arbitration.
"I don't know where it started," he said. "But to me it's a direct hit on the workers here in this town and the union and against this community."
The IOC memo stated there will be a full review of company performance done. Thomas hopes that includes its management.
"Hopefully someone will come in and have a look at the way things are operated at IOC, and then they can realize they can make money here. And we'll get Wabush 3 started up again."
With files from Labrador Morning