Thanks for the support FS.

I can easily understand why some people who have no connection to the Vale & Sudbury situation may grow tired of hearing about it. But all they need to do is move on to a different thread. I notice that BNN has run a feature on the Vale strike.

Other than the obvious fact that we live in Sudbury and have spent many years working at Inco prior to retirement, we have other reasons for following this situation carefully.

First I think it will have a fairly significant impact on the price of nickel and the situation with NOT.

Second I feel sorry for the Vale Inco employees because I think they have misread the company. Vale has made it clear that the Sudbury operations are only viable if productivity improves. If the union persists in this strike it could lead to the permanent shutdown of the Sudbury operation.

Third I suspect we will see many similar labour disputes in the future.

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Just as the Canadian Auto Workers at General Motors and <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]-->Chrysler have had to adjust their expectations, Inco (and Xstrata) workers will also face the same dilemma.

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When we witness recent Canadian and world events, it is clear that not only are we in a global economic crunch, North America is losing much of its economic strength.

In order for Canada and the USA to remain competitive we need to seriously improve our productivity levels. Vale has been saying this for a long time now but it seems to be falling on deaf ears.

Unfortunately this transition looks like it will now be a long and painful process.

Check out this statement by Vale:

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“We have said consistently throughout these negotiations that change is necessary for Ontario Operations to be successful in the future. We are operating in a different economy and a different business reality. We are now part of both the Vale Inco integrated nickel business and Vale. In order to be competitive and to attract new investment for the future, Ontario Operations must be cash-flow positive and self-sustaining in all business cycles. That is our core business requirement, pure and simple.”

Vale has been saying this in the press for over a year.

How about this warning by the new Inco President:

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“I don’t have to stress the importance of your vote on Friday and Saturday (Sudbury), and Sunday (Port Colborne). It is your choice and your future.”

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It seems that local 6500 employees have made their choice and perhaps sealed their fate and that of many in the Sudbury Community.

Some may think that I am a right wing union basher. However my broader concern is for the North American economy. Workers should receive a good days pay for a good days work. However we are in a global economy and will need to remain competitive.

SN