SEND A LETTER TO TECK
United Steel Workers of America- Local 480
Sep-20-2005
SEND A LETTER TO TECK
Registered and Head Office
Teck Cominco Limited
600 - 200 Burrard Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3L9
email: info@teckcominco.com
TALKS ARE OFF
We really do wish we were telling you, on your behalf we bargained hard and were able to reach a tentative agreement. I'm sure you know by now that is not the case, talks broke off.
It became obvious to your committee that our employer, although they would like to lead you and this community to believe otherwise, came to the table but had no mandate to get a collective agreement. Even with the assistance of the mediator they failed to negotiate.
During the first two days some progress was made and we were optimistic, maybe, just maybe, they would go the distance and we could get the deal you deserve. It wasn't long before they were spinning their wheels and unable and or not capable of getting the deal.
It's the age old TeckCominco philosophy getting in the way. "When times are tough we will take from our employees and when times are good we will give them nothing. "Well it didn't cut it two months ago and it doesn't cut it now. They may create the job but without us there is no profit. At a time when metal prices, arguably have never been higher, they are so mean and ugly and stuck on power that they are willing to sit on the side lines and miss out on an opportunity to make 10's of millions of dollars in profit.
We know, like us, you would rather be working, contributing to the local economy, than having to walk a picket line and wondering how long you can survive on strike pay. If there was any doubt before, there certainly is not any more, this company is determined to break the Union. They have no intention of rewarding you and me for our years of loyalty, our years of service. They have shown themselves to be nothing more than a big bully perched on a hill top wondering who they are going to beat up next.
Giving us a fair share would mean security for our families and for the whole community. The security of knowing you can provide for yourself and your family is an investment in the future. Our employer would rather invest in itself and give nothing in return. They don't want to go the extra distance, even though they admit they have been and are very profitable today.
It's a corporate responsiblity and unless TeckCominco makes an offer that makes sense, that addresses all those years when we gave and got nothing in return, it will be a community burden.
Support your bargaining commitee.
Issued by:
Locals 480 & 9705, USWA
19 Sept 2005
I found that most of the recent letter titled "Talks are Off..." are right ON! However, the statement that "this company is determined to break the Union" I find to be counter productive. We don't need this sort of fear brought up now. It is enough to have to deal with the financial burdens from being on strike for 2 months. Now that those rediculous concessions are off the table I don't think we are that far off from a collective agreement.
Posted by: Kevin Santo | September 21, 2005 at 11:00 AM