Ekati Talks to Resume Thursday

The Public Service Alliance of Canada, the union representing striking Ekati diamond mine workers, and mine owner BHP Billiton have agreed to resume negotiations for a first collective agreement, with talks scheduled for May 25-26 in Edmonton.

The strike by nearly 400 Ekati workers began April 7. Outstanding issues include wages, vacation time, job security, and seniority, said Jean- Francois Des Lauriers, PSAC executive vice president-North.

"We are pleased at the opportunity to resume talks to end this strike and put in place the first union contract at Canada's first diamond mine," Des Lauriers said. "Our negotiating team will be pressing BHP Billiton to meet the needs of our members at Ekati and those members will be the ones who make the decision."

Todd Parsons, President of the Union of Northern Workers component of PSAC, which represents Diamond Workers UNW Local X3050, said the strike will continue until such time as an agreement is ratified by the members. "Ekati diamond mine workers joined our union and went on strike to improve their wages and working conditions through a collective agreement and we will stay on strike until a contract is reached and the members ratify it," Parson said.

"We have always said that if the union returned to the table and made a reasonable counter proposal that addressed our unique aboriginal relationships and our Northern commitments, we would consider it," said Roy Lenardon, Ekati vice president of human resources. "We will meet the union in Edmonton on Thursday to receive its offer."

"Before responding to the offer, we will carefully review the proposal in detail, and determine if it adequately addresses our needs relating to our Northern and Aboriginal values, and our ability to maintain the flexibility needed to be a successful Northern business that creates lasting legacies for Northern communities."

According to a release from Ekati, the diamond mine continues to operate with its existing employees without replacement workers and reports that 40 per cent of the bargaining unit has chosen not to support the job action.

Ekati produces 6 percent of the world's diamond supply by value, 4 percent by weight and yields 3 to 5 million carats annually. It is located 300 km northeast of Yellowknife and 200 km south of the Arctic Circle.