Flin Flon mine-worker strike continues, traffic slowdowns end

Negotiations have come to a standstill between theInternational Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1848 andHudbayMineralsinFlin Flon, Man., but traffic slowdowns caused by the picketers have ended.

About 200heavy duty mechanics, industrial mechanics, pipe fitters, tiretechnicians, oilers and machinists, members of the IAMAW1848 union,have been picketing at the copper and zincmine in Flin Flon since April 20.

• Flin Flon union members reject HudBay's offer, threaten to strike
• HudBay Minerals mechanics likely to strike in Flin Flon, says union president

Rene Beauchamp, the union's president, told CBC'sRadio Noonthat even though the traffic blocks have ended, they're still counting on Hudbay to come back to the negotiating table and "their phone line are open."

On April 20, 96 per cent of the workers present at the union meeting voted to reject an offer from Hudbay thatoffered a wage increase of 10.9 per cent for certified mechanics,pipefittersand machinists, a 10 per cent increase to pension, and requested no language concessions. Hudbayalso offered increases to benefits such as vision and paramedical.

"Ten per cent of nothing is nothing," Beauchampsaid Tuesday, explaining thatother workers in Manitoba are have wagesroughly $8 perhour higherthan the workers he's representing.

"This company can definitely afford to pay," he added.

Hudbayand the union confirmthere are no negotiations scheduled for the time being.

"Our employees have been very patient in the last week as we worked through the delays in getting everyone to work.Together, the management team and employees were able to keep our operations safe and productive," Hudbay representativeScottBrubacher told CBC in an email.

"All of our unions were given our financial plans for 2015 to allow all negotiating teams an understanding of the business.We presented all unions with a framework for a fair and negotiated deal that was focused on maintaining CBA language, enhancing wages, enhancing pensionsand enhancing benefits for our employees," Brubacher said.

The steelworkers are expected to vote for or againststrike actionon May 19.