Men face arbitrator over Vale misconduct firing

After two years of waiting, an arbitration case for three men fired by Vale is expected to get underway Friday.

They were among nine people who were dismissed during the year-long labour dispute with the nickel mining giant in Sudbury.

The case involving Michael French, Jason Patterson and Patrick Veinot is being heard together because it's alleged the three men were involved in the same assault on a Vale employee who was crossing picket lines. Vale fired the men for what it called misconduct.

Only French was convicted of assault by a Sudbury court, while Patterson and Veinot — who were charged with criminal harassment — were found not guilty.

The men will have the chance to present their case to an arbitrator, who will then determine if the dismissal of all three workers was just.

Hearing dates for the matter are scheduled throughout December.

Other arbitration cases have taken place this summer, and one ruling has instructed Vale to give an employee his job back.

Some of the nine people fired have either retired or moved on to other jobs.