The United Steelworkers (USW) said Oct. 10 that it is considering filing a charge of bad faith bargaining under the Saskatchewan Trade Union Act against PotashCorp, following a direct communication sent to the homes of striking USW members at three of PotashCorp’s mines in Saskatchewan. Some 500 USW members have been striking at PotashCorp’s Allan, Cory, and Patience Lake facilities since Aug. 7.
“This is another attempt by the company to circumvent the bargaining process and try to influence our members. The content of the letter contains another pitch for the only offer made by the company, which was soundly rejected by our membership,” said USW Representative Lee Edwards.
“We believe PotashCorp’s actions are in violation of Saskatchewan law,” said Edwards. “Beyond the legality issue, the letter insinuates that our members are stupid and would have made a different decision if only they listened to the ‘wisdom’ of the company. It’s outrageous.”
PotashCorp acknowledged that it sent the letter; however, a company spokesman said it was not a violation of the act.
Edwards said the only way to resolve the dispute is to return to the bargaining table with an open mind and discuss the outstanding issues in a mature and intelligent way, instead of end-running the union and ignoring the bargaining process.
“The company is deliberately attempting to confuse and muddle the issues around the strike, while steadfastly refusing to talk to us. It’s just plain wrong.”
PotashCorp says it is willing to return to the bargaining table, but that it will not discuss the commodity-based bonus sought by the USW (GM Oct. 13, p. 11). It is willing to discuss less substantive issues. In addition, the company says that due to the global financial crisis, it can no longer assure that the current financial offer can remain on the table indefinitely.