No comment yet on Brunswick strike

Striking miners at Brunswick Mining & Smelting’s (TSE) lead-zinc operation in New Brunswick recently voted 64% against the company’s latest offer, which included a 24% wage increase over 42 months. Representatives of the 1,100 mine workers, who have been on strike since last July, say they are waiting for the company to comment on the vote before considering their next move.

A similar offer was recently rejected by 85% of the 400 employees at Brunswick’s Belledune lead smelter near Bathurst, N.B., where working conditions are regarded as a major issue. Brunswick is a 65% owned subsidiary of Noranda (TSE).

Despite rumors to the contrary, Brunswick President John White said shutting down the 10,000-tonne-per-day operation, which is running at about 20% of capacity, is “not an option” that is being considered by the company.

In 1990, Brunswick accounted for 166,038 tonnes or 34% of the zinc produced at mines held by the Noranda group of companies, down from 213,318 tonnes or 54% in 1989. Lead production at Brunswick, which contributed 74% of the total mined by Noranda in 1990, also dropped to 45,518 tonnes last year from 64,619 tonnes or 95% in 1989.

Although Belledune workers have also been on strike since July, the smelter is currently treating stockpiles of lead-bearing material and concentrates from the Brunswick mine.

Other issues to be resolved are the duration of a new contract, pensions, job security and the number of employees to be retained when the strikers agree to return to work. Louis Roy, treasurer of the United Steelworkers of America Local 5385, which represents the Brunswick miners, says the company wants to reduce the number of employees to 925 from 1,092.

But White said the company won’t comment officially or speculate on the chances of an early resolution until Brunswick negotiators have had a chance to evaluate the situation.

Strikers, who were asking for a $3-per-hour wage increase on their basic rate as part of a new 3-year contract when the strike began, are currently receiving $105 per week plus 10 cents per dependent from the union. An adopt-a-striker campaign has also enabled the union to provide assistance to about 100 of the most needy employees.