Striking Steelworkers reject AltaSteel's final offer

CNW, 14 September 1999

EDMONTON, Sept. 14 /CNW/ - Striking members of the United Steelworkers' Local 5220 at AltaSteel, a division of Stelco Inc., have voted overwhelmingly against the company's final offer.

More than 270 workers have been on legal strike since last Wednesday (September 8). Issues in dispute are wages, pensions, job security, contracting out and the term of the agreement.

"Since we began bargaining in May, the company has been dragging its feet, and has refused to discuss the real issues in dispute," said Steelworker Staff Representative Keith Turcotte. "We've filed bad faith bargaining charges against the company. They have made attempts to improperly communicate with the members of Local 5220, and are trying to undermine and discredit the union.

"The company is interfering with the workers' rights by doing an end-run around the union's bargaining committee. The company should instead be focussing on negotiating fairly with the union. That's the only way to settle this thing."

No talks have been scheduled between the parties.

The Steelworkers also represents about 9,500 other Stelco employees at operations in Hamilton, Montreal and Nanticoke, ON.