:: rawblogXport ::

:: Tuesday, February 03, 2004 ::

Alcan CEO calls on unionized workers to open dialogue over seized plant By DAVID PADDON, CP
The head of Alcan Inc. said Monday he's concerned about safety at one of the company's Quebec aluminum smelters, which has been taken over by unionized workers.

"You have to remember these are facilities that use very, very high levels of power, millions of amperes of electricity, molten metal," Travis Engen said after a speech to a Toronto business lunch.

While the unionized workers have done well operating the smelter at Jonquiere, Que., on their own since taking it over last week to protest plans to close it this spring, affecting 550 jobs, Alcan management is still responsible for the facility, he said.

Falconbridge CEO eyes provincial help to settle strike in Sudbury, Ont. By STEVE ERWIN, CP
In a message posted on the CAW local's website, the union said the company's stance on contracting work at Nickel Rim is 'meant to lull the membership into a sense of security.

'The language they propose is wide open for abuse, and this company has shown over the past three years that they have no problem abusing the language in the collective agreement,' the union said.

posted 7:37 AM :: reference link :: 0 comments ::

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