Iron Ore Strikes in Eastern Canada Winding Down

A 12-week strike by iron ore workers in eastern Canada ended after the Iron Ore Co. of Canada (a Rio Tinto subsidiary) sweetened a proposal over the one 1,400 strikers barely rejected in early September. The three-year deal with affiliate United Steelworkers of America (USWA) contains no concessions and gives miners, processing plant workers and dock workers a C$1 increase over the contract’s term and a C$500 lump sum payment. Meanwhile, 300 workers at Wabush Mines will vote on a five-year contract this week after a deal was struck with the USWA 8 October to end a 15-week iron ore strike in Labrador, eastern Canada.