Well 2012 is upon us, and the new Xstrata payroll system out of Montreal has already affected us locally. Retirees who were supposed to be paid a Bridge payment on January 1st will not receive it until January 12th, due to a “glitch” in the system. Well now, here’s hoping this is the only bump in the road with the new system, although local management has indicated to us it probably will not…….
Happy 2012 to one and all.

What exactly have Unions ever done for us? In a “what have you done for me lately” society, many would say nothing. To many non Union workers who take for granted many of our legislated rights, they may answer the same. Here’s a satirical video that reminds us of some of the things Unions fought for and won in the past (and a reminder of what we are fighting to keep)………
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iObqguaNDdA

You will have to copy and paste the above link in your web browser to watch (sorry)…….

By Carol Mulligan/The Sudbury Star

Updated 9 hours ago

Hundreds of employees at Xstrata Nickel’s Fraser and Nickel Rim South mines were sent home from the job Monday for what the company is calling a “short safety pause” after an increase in safety incidents at the two operations.

Mine Mill Local 598/CAW president Richard Paquin said about 300 workers at Fraser Mine have been told to think about safety for an “indefinite” period of time while the company devises a plan to make the mine safer.

About 250 employees at Nickel Rim South were sent home Monday after sitting through a four-hour safety talk, he said.

While Paquin said he has no problem with Xstrata wanting to draft a plan to make its workplaces safer, the question is whether members will be paid for the unexpected time off.

Union and Xstrata officials began talking Monday night and spent all day Tuesday discussing the issue, said Paquin.

He was waiting to hear from Xstrata on Wednesday about whether it intends to pay members or not. The union has sought legal advice on the matter.

December 13th, 2011
7:00PM

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