CFMEU - Mining and Energy Division
Rio Tinto locks out workers in Quebec
Workers at Rio Tinto Alcan’s aluminium smelter in Alma, in the Canadian province of Quebec, have been locked out of their jobs since January 1. About 780 workers were thrown off their jobs just after midnight on December 31, when their collective agreement expired.
On December 30 over 88% of workers voted to reject the new contract offer because the company refused to limit subcontracting. The United Steelworkers Union (USW), as members of the bargaining unit, have called for a halt to subcontracting that reduces full time, stable jobs.
Since Rio Tinto purchased Alcan in 2007, management has contracted out more and more work. This represents a shift towards precarious work and casual jobs. Subcontractors can earn substantially less than their unionised counterparts, a violation of the “equal pay for equal work” principle.
USW District Five Director Daniel Roy explained that the move to subcontracting has a negative economic impact. “This is a just and critical battle for decent jobs in this region”, said Mr Roy. The main issue for workers is defending good jobs over the long term. “These workers are fighting to provide our youth with the same working and living standards that they have” he said.
Andrew Vickers, General Secretary of CFMEU Mining and Energy, said that the union will offer whatever support it practically can to the United Steelworkers. "The USW are great friends of ours. Rio Tinto, like the mining giants BHP and Xstrata, is ruthless, and places itself above common decency, without any regard for the workers who produce their enormous wealth. Our union is committed to supporting USW members in their struggle for justice,” he said.
