Editor’s Note SALVATION

The recession cooled both sides. In fact, it threw an almighty scare into everybody — head office types (who were laid off by the bushelful), mine managers and mill superintendents, line supervisors and the rank-and-file. In its wake, some managers (several of the ones we talked to, at least) are trying to coax into existence a new spirit of co-operation. Workers seem amenable, although I’m certain many are suspicious. Front-line supervisors might react tentatively as well. For them, it requires a sharing of the power they possess. (Knowledge and having the authority to tell people what to do and how to do it is power, though the best supervisors seldom invoke that power with experienced workers except to spur the certifiably dimwitted or deliberately obtuse worker.) A true commitment by management to the principles of blue collar participation in decision-making must be demonstrated at the working face, not just once, but time and again. The very structure of decision-making must reflect this new commitment. Otherwise, the majority of the rank and file will view it as just another ploy by management to get more for less.

Finally, I am delighted to announce that one of our own, Assistant Editor Thom Loree, has been awarded an honorable mention in the annual journalism awards presented by the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Energy, Mines and Resources Canada. Loree won recognition in the feature-writing category for his articles on Echo Bay’s Lupin and Cove/McCoy mines and Placer Dome’s Detour Lake mine and a special feature on silver mining in Mexico. In last year’s competition, Loree gained an honorable mention in the news-writing category.

]]>