Laval, January 4, 2012 -- The Teamsters union is taking a public stand in favour of the 800 or so workers employed by the international mining group Rio Tinto Alcan at its Alma plant. It will be recalled that the company locked out the smelter’s employees – represented by the USW union - on January 1 after bargaining talks collapsed. Rio Tinto Alcan’s wants to increase outsourcing and does not want to guarantee a minimum number of unionized jobs.  

Teamsters Canada president Robert Bouvier accused Rio Tinto Alcan of “weakening the middle class, the region, and the entire province.” “When will this company stop beating on the middle class? Is there no limit to its greed?” added Bouvier.

Bouvier pointed out that the Federal government cut business taxes this year, depriving the government of billions of dollars in revenues, but tolerate the behaviour of this mining company, which is essentially seeking to make its shareholders richer.

Yet the company appears to be in good financial shape, reporting a 238% increase in earnings over last year.

“The Alma workers’ fight is extremely important. Our brothers and sisters at the plant can count on our support,” concluded the labour leader.


The Teamsters Union represents 125,000 members in Canada in all trades. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, with which Teamsters Canada is affiliated, has 1.4 million members in North America.

Information:
Stéphane Lacroix, Director of Communications, Teamsters Canada
Mobile: 514-609-5101
Office: 450-682-5521 x236
Email: slacroix@teamsters.ca