Lockout in force at Myra Falls mine

A lockout notice was delivered recently by Westmin Resources (TSE) to 364 unionized employees at its Myra Falls mine near Campbell River, B.C.

Westmin said protracted negotiations with Canadian Auto Workers Local 3019 did not result in a collective agreement despite the assistance of a provincial government mediator. The previous 3-year agreement expired at the end of March.

Mine Manager William Diment said the company was seeking concessions, including those related to benefits and wages. “The union was not willing to accept any concessions, and the mediator was not able to make progress because the positions of both parties were so far apart,” he said. Ronald Weatherall, president of Local 3019, confirmed that the union is not prepared to accept any concessions. “We are looking for an improvement over the previous agreement, and we see room for this because of the higher-grade zones being developed for mining,” he said.

Before the lockout, Westmin served layoff notices to 73 people at Myra Falls in order to counteract the effects of a continuing deterioration of international metal markets. For years, the company has reported no profits from the Myra Falls operation which produces zinc and copper, and well as by-product gold and silver, from the Lynx and H-W underground mines.