May 2nd - BHP fails to make $56 million security deposit

BHP Billiton missed January 31, 2006 deadline to post $56 million security deposit for Ekati diamond mine water license to be held by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, union for striking workers discovers; $56 million still not guaranteed by BHP.

Read more in the pdf below.

REL-BHP_fails_to_make_security_deposit_May_2-06.pdf

May 1st - NDP MP's launch anti-scab legislation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 1, 2006

OTTAWA - NDP MP Pat Martin (Winnipeg Center) is introducing legislation today that would ban the use of replacement workers during labour disputes and work stoppages under federal jurisdiction.

The Bill is seconded by NDP House Leader and Labour critic Libby Davies (Vancouver East) and Yvon Godin (Acadie-Bathurst), NDP Whip and a former Staff representative with United Steel Workers of America (New Brunswick).

Martin is also the former leader of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (Manitoba) and a carpenter by trade.

"Workers have the right to organize, the right to bargain collectively, and the right to withhold their services in the event negotiations fail," said Martin. "Using scabs to replace striking workers undermines those rights."

The Bill would prohibit employers from hiring replacement workers to perform the jobs of workers who are on strike or locked out.

"I'm proud of my Labour Caucus members for leading the way in this issue of basic workers' rights," says NDP Leader Jack Layton. "This is one of the most basic principles behind our party - to help elevate living standards and working conditions in this country. And we're going to use this minority Parliament to do just that."

"We deliberately chose May Day, the International Day of Workers' Solidarity to launch our Anti-Scab campaign," said Davies. "Collective bargaining is one of the fundamental tenets of a free society and the NDP will always stand up for the rights of workers."

"Anti-scab legislation means fewer and shorter strikes and lockouts and less likelihood of violence or property damage," said Godin. "Anti-scab legislation helps keep workers on the job and businesses on the go."

"Look at jurisdictions where you have anti-scab legislation," said Godin, "there are fewer days lost due to strikes and lockouts. Disputes are settled quickly and peacefully because the system is working the way it was intended."

Mr. Martin will introduce the Bill and give it First Reading during Routine Proceedings shortly after 3:00pm, Monday May 1st, 2006.

April 27th - BHP Billiton's credibility shrinks

Ekati diamond mine owner BHP Billiton

BHP_credibility_shrinks_Apr_27-06-1.pdf

April 24th - Are Fines For Crossing the Picket Line Fair?

Article from the Canadian HR Reporter - April 24, 2006

Yes, they protect collective bargaining. Some unions are fining members who cross the picket line during a strike, and the courts are getting involved...

To read more, click the link below.

2006-04-24-Pg_27-NT.pdf

April 24th - Dirty Diamonds!

Union asks retail jewelers who sell Ekati Canadian diamonds to express concern about ongoing Ekati strike against mine owner BHP Billiton that will impact sales and supply of trademarked Aurias diamonds.

Read more below.

REL-Retailers_Letter_Apr_24-06.pdf

April 14th - Miners strike at Ekati gaining momentum

The miners strike at BHP Billiton

April 7th - PSAC to fight decertification application at Ekati

Yellowknife

Microsoft_Word_-_BHP_Press_Release_April_7.pdf

March 23rd - Union warns BHP Billiton against using replacement workers

YELLOWKNIFE- The union representing almost 400 diamond workers at the Ekati diamond mine in the Northwest Territories is warning owners BHP Billiton against using replacement workers in the event of a strike next week.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada says BHP Billiton sent a letter to all employees Wednesday stating that they: "intend to continue to operate during any labour disruption."

"This provocative action is unacceptable, especially when BHP Billiton is also refusing to meet at the negotiating table to try and reach a first contract," said Jean-Fran

BHP Media Release, March 22, 2006

Union ready to shut down Canada's first diamond mine - BHP Billiton's Ekati in Northwest Territories - if contract talks don't resume; strike notice served for March 29th, 2006.
For more information, please click the link below:

BHP_Media_Release_Mar_22-06.doc

BHP Media Release - March 20, 2006

BHP Billiton Stalling Negotiations with Diamond Workers UNW Local X3050.
For more information, please click the link below:

BHP_Stalling_Mar20-06.doc

BHP Media Release - March 20, 2006

Diamond Workers Serve Strike Notice on BHP.
For more information, please click the link below:

BHP_PRESS_RELEASEMarch20.doc

STRIKE NOTICE - Diamond Workers Serve Strike Notice on BHP

Frustrated with what the union calls the company

BHP Stalling Negotiations with UNW Local X3050, Diamond Workers

On March 14, 2006, the employees of BHP Billiton working at the Ekati diamond mine, seeking a first collective agreement rejected their employers

LOCAL X3050 UPDATE - March 16th

The northern vice-president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada says aboriginal workers at the Ekati diamond mine rejected a contract with the company because they feel they are being discriminated against.

Jean-Francois Des Lauriers says that's one of the main reasons 71 per cent of the membership rejected their first collective agreement last week. The union represents 400 of Ekati's 740 employees.

About 60 per cent of the unionized workers at Ekati are aboriginal, and Des Lauriers says many of them are not receiving equal treatment from their managers.

Des Lauriers says aboriginal workers have shared their message loud and clear.

"Their performance evaluations are harsher, their chances for promotions are less than the other employees and they feel that they are being discriminated against," he says.

Des Lauriers says BHP Billiton has an international reputation of mistreating its employees, and that includes at Ekati. He says the workers rejected the deal because it did not address the equality issue.

Read more at cbc.ca

Back to the Table NOW

Four years ago, workers at BHP Ekati approached the Public Service Alliance of Canada to help them form a union.  At the time, the employees were caught within an employee association that many felt was dominated by the employer.  What drove these workers to seek a trade union that they had confidence in to represent them? After all, don