Vale proceeds with contempt action after wildcat dispute
Company goes to Supreme Court for prosecution of trades council, 2 union officials, 2 workers
CBC News
Posted: Jul 26, 2012 4:51 PM NT
Last Updated: Jul 26, 2012 6:15 PM NT
The Long Harbour nickel processing site was hit by a wildcat strike earlier this month. (Zach Goudie/CBC)
Vale is going ahead with plans to prosecute those the company believes broke the law during a wildcat strike in Long Harbour.
The day before the labour dispute ended earlier this month, Vale was granted an application to prosecute workers the company claims broke a court-ordered injunction.
Vale confirmed Thursday that it is proceeding with that action.
In mid-July, crane operators walked off the job at the Long Harbour site where a nickel processing facility is being built for Vale. They were unhappy with pay, travel and other issues.
Their employer, Vale, asked for — and received — an injunction ordering striking workers not to block access to the site.
During the five-day dispute, up to 1,000 workers took part in protests held on a highway leading to Long Harbour.
The employers returned to court to make another application — this one to prosecute workers Vale claims broke the earlier injuction. That application was also granted.
The next day, the protests ended and employees returned to work.
Two crane operators and two union members representing Long Harbour workers have been served notice, as has the Resource Development Trades Council. The RDC represents 16 unions at the site.
A contempt of court application is scheduled to be heard at Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court early next week.
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