Editorial Strikes threaten B.C. economy

British Columbia has a history of labor unrest which, to a large extent, disappeared during the recent recession. Mass layoffs in forestry and mining because of low commodity prices appeared to hit home but the lesson was short-lived.

Both these vital sectors of the provincial economy are again being held for ransom by organized labor, including Westar Mining’s Balmeroperation in southeastern B.C.

These people are among the highest paid miners in the world with average salaries of $46,000 per year based on settlements obtained in the early 1980s. Coal prices were a lot higher then and there wasn’t the 30%-40% surplus overhanging the market we have today. Yet these people still want more and are prepared to destroy B.C’s largest coal producer and the local economy to boot.

Among the stumbling blocks to a settlement is Westar’s refusal to drop disciplinary action against workers involved in an earlier strike. They destroyed company property, set fire to buildings and a few were sent to prison — no wonder the company refuses to give in. Markets are being lost and it is doubtful they can be replaced, so the job security of workers following a settlement will probably be in jeopardy as well.

The local media always plays up the social cost of these labor confrontations, yet they never suggest that these people are the authors of their own misfortunes. As an example, Newmont Mining recently announced the closure of its Similkameen copper mine because workers couldn’t face the reality of lower wages given present market conditions.

Rather than a 20% wage cut, they will now have no income at all — and they blame the company for their predicament. Let’s hope people come to their senses before it’s too late for all of us.