The other Tony ticks off Sudbury

NEWS RELEASE

UNITED STEELWORKERS

************************* Workers call for Clement's immediate resignation

SUDBURY, ON, July 21 - Having actively disparaged the community of Sudbury and having made comments that clearly indicate he sides with the company, Industry Minister Tony Clement [shown] should immediately resign his portfolio.

"We need a industry minister that will stand up for Canada and our communities, not attack them and leave them to fend for themselves," said Wayne Fraser, United Steelworkers District 6 director. "Minister Clement should resign his portfolio immediately, and the government should find someone who will actual do that job - as opposed to working against Canada's interests."

The Brazilian multinational Vale SA came in and bought the profitable Inco two years ago.

The federal government said they were allowing the takeover because it was a "net benefit" to Canada.

The government received an agreement from Vale (which has remained secret) that outlined their promises to fulfill this net benefit.

"The agreement by Vale to the people of Canada should be made public. And, the government should act to hold Vale accountable for their commitments," said Ken Neumann, Steelworkers national director. "Sudbury can't sit around while a company lets a very profitable operation sit idle simply because they want to take advantage of the economic conditions to make long-term dramatic cuts and changes."

"Inco was profitable every year for over a decade. Since Vale took over, they have made twice as much profit in those two years as Inco made in the past 10 years. But even with that massive profit, Vale pressuring the workers to slash their terms of employment," explained John Fera, president of Local 6500.

"The mayor has express outrage, the local MPs have call for Clement's resignation and the citizens of Sudbury are upset that the minister is working against us, not with us," said Fera.

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