From PSAC north
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EKATI Strike: Day One
The first day of the strike at the Ekati mine was a huge success for the PSAC with picket lines in many regions of the country. Picket lines went up at 6:00 am in Yellowknife, and Hay River, when almost one hundred percent of the members put down their tools and walked out of the mine.
Workers from other units also left the mine. A group of IBEW members refused to stay behind the picket line and decided to walk off the site. Five PSAC members, who were planning to stay on site, changed their minds and decided to join their brothers and sisters on the line.
Local businesses also showed their support, by bringing food and drinks to the picket lines. While delivery drivers, with packages for BHP, refused to cross.
In Yellowknife scabs were run off city property when they showed up expecting to board company’s busses to go through union lines. A picket line also went up in Hay River where 20 PSAC members held a planning meeting with their sisters and brothers from other unions. In Edmonton the PSAC regional office set up an information picket line at the hotel when negotitations broke down.
In Vancouver, the regional office sponsored a rally and petition signing in front of BHP’s corporate headquarters.
We received excellent media coverage at all our events. Our issues were broadcast all over the world. On Friday, 7 April, BHP Billiton’s shares lost $1.45 and there is no sign of recovery. Analysts say this drop in value was directly linked to the strike.
Thank you to the IBEW who left the site in support of the PSAC members and all those who supported us on the line.
UNITED WE STAND - DIVIDED WE BEG