In early 2004 Mine Mill/CAW Local 598 in Sudbury was once again forced out on strike by Falconbridge/Noranda (Noranda now controls Falconbridge). This time Falconbridge/Noranda was adamant that new developments should be able to be contracted out to non-unionized firms including Nickel Rim South, Fraser-Morgan, Onaping Depth and the mini-pits, continuing to cut down on the size and power of the union.

This was a continuation of what Falconbridge/Noranda attempted to do in the 2000-2001 strike (see article on previous page) . Contracting out is central to the imposition of ‘lean’ and ‘flexible’ production as it allows for an intensification of the exploitation of workers by leaving only a ‘core’ labour-force unionized surrounded by non-unionized workers who are denied the same wage-levels, job security, and benefits. It is a key part of the capitalist strategy for weakening unions and the power of workers.

In the three-week 2004 strike Mine Mill/CAW Local 598 was able to beat back this contracting out campaign through union mobilization and involvement, solidarity from other unions and community groups, and through effective militant actions.

Once again workers were forced out in the cold in the winter in Sudbury but this strike was very different from the last one given the lessons the union and the workers had learned from the 2000-2001 strike. The union leadership and membership knew very clearly from the beginning of bargaining what Falconbridge/Noranda was up to. There was extensive information and education for the membership including an informative website and the union responded actively to the media and attempts by Falconbridge and the media to spread disinformation. When the mediator imposed a media blackout Falconbridge was quick to demand that this cover the popular Mine Mill web-site as well, which was a thorn in their side throughout the strike.

The retirees were once again actively involved in strike and support activities. There was no signing of any strike protocol with management this time, and members of the union have been carefully studying the Nickel market and the company’s strategy. Although Falconbridge hired a security firm (LPI Security) and scabs, they were unable to restart production on any significant scale. At the smelter gate in the town of Falconbridge (which was previously a company town), the workers organized a rolling blockade (or ‘parade’) of cars that tied up the traffic of scabs and slurry trucks without any threat of a court injunction. Trucks were held up for up to 20 hours.

There was also the mobilization of support from anti-poverty groups and from the CAW Flying Squads and other unions from across the province. The Sudbury Coalition Against Poverty (S-CAP) issued a statement before the strike started, calling on community and social justice activists to support the union. On the Feb. 6-8th weekend, Mine Mill hosted a Flying Squad solidarity weekend which included a rally at the smelter and a community solidarity event with bands and speeches. These events involved hundreds of people. Speakers at the rally included members of CUPE Local 3903 (York University contract faculty and teaching assistants), S-CAP, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Local 655, the faculty local at Cambrian College, and the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty. CAW members came to show their solidarity from Kitchener-Waterloo, Oakville, Ingersoll, St. Catharines, Bracebridge and Timmins. At the same time it has to be noted that the capacity of the CAW Flying Squads to mobilize seems much less than in 2000-2001.

In 2000-2001, the Mike Harris Tories were in office provincially with their legislation allowing the use of scabs, and making it more difficult for workers to form unions. In 2004, all this remains in place and even though there is now a Liberal government, scabs and anti-working class legislation are still being used against workers. In a speech to union members and supporters on Oct. 13, 2000 Sudbury Liberal MPP Rick Bartolucci, now a cabinet minister and the Minister of Northern Mines and Development, criticized the Tories for their law allowing the use of scabs. In 2004 his tune is very different, arguing he could not take sides in this dispute. He refused to speak out in support of Mine Mill/CAW Local 598 or to call for the repeal of the legislation allowing the use of scabs. What a difference being in government can make.