Rowswell writes to president of Vale Inco

Sault Ste. Marie Mayor John Rowswell has written the following letter regarding the Vale Inco strike in Sudbury.

************************* Tito Martins President & CEO Vale Inco 200 Bay Street Royal Bank Plaza Suite 1600, South Tower P.O. Box 70 Toronto, ON M5J 2K2

John Fera, President United Steelworkers Local 6500 128 Pine Street, Suite 202 Sudbury, ON, P3C 1X3

Wayne Fraser Director - District 6 Ontario and Atlantic Canada 200 Ronson Drive, Suite 300 Etobicoke, ON, M5W 5Z0

Dear Sirs:

Subject: Labour Dispute

I wanted to share with you some observations, and if it appears that I am lecturing you, so be it.

There are many of us from all over Northern Ontario that are deeply concerned over the lack of progress regarding the Sudbury labour dispute.

Vale Inco has roots as a multi-national corporation and very much aware of the state of the global economy.

The Steelworkers union is very much aware of erosion of wage rates in North America by developing countries.

What you need to be aware of is that we, the rest of Northern Ontario, do not appreciate both sides undermining the economy of communities in Northern Ontario.

We are working diligently and methodically to grow the North and this labour dispute impacts us.

We live in one of greatest countries in the world, we are known as most understanding and we have a social conscience.

I am especially proud of the residents of Northern Ontario, who open up their hearts and wallets to help those in need, and philanthropy occurs every day for good causes by northerners and Canadian corporations even with multi-national origins.

The reason this happens, the reason Canadian corporations are such a good deal is because their management are Canadians with the Canadian ethics that we pride ourselves on.

Even in the global world, Canadian corporations exhibit fairness and compassion.

The Steelworkers have this same strength, for almost a century representing labourers in the toughest of times, they have stood up for their members and they built wealth for the good of their members.

At the same time, their Canadian social conscience has been returned to the community many times over.

The present difficulty is that with no negotiations going on and winter closing in, both sides impact others not tied to your labour dispute.

This is unacceptable.

Now, to suggest that the credibility of both sides is being severely eroded is an understatement.

What is at risk is that Vale Inco will lose its status as a good Canadian corporation in the eyes of Canadians, and they may have lost this status with their management staff already and the Steelworkers will lose social conscience strength they have prided themselves on.

This letter is a demand that both sides do the right thing; get back to bargaining in good faith.

And if you fail to heed this caring advice, you need to be aware of the storm of public pressure that will be brought to bear.

We, caring northerners and proud to be Canadian, will not allow this labour dispute through winter, either those on the picket lines and the numerous families indirectly affected by the dispute.

It is your choice to decide how you will be remembered.

Yours very truly,

John Rowswell, Mayor

cc: Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry Canada Honourable Peter Fonseca, Ontario Minister of Labour Mayor John Rodriguez, City of Greater Sudbury City Council, City of Sault Ste. Marie

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