Many workers shun union order to stop Newfoundland strike as Vale heads to court

LONG HARBOUR, N.L. – Mining giant Vale says it’s heading back to court today with an application to prosecute striking workers the company says are blocking others from the site of a nickel processing facility in Newfoundland.

Company spokesman Bob Carter says about 1,000 workers — about half the usual workforce — returned today to the plant being built in Long Harbour.

He says crane operators who started the strike four days ago are still off the job along with workers from various trades.

Carter says striking workers continue to congest traffic to the plant and some workers have received threatening emails or phone calls about returning to the site.

Vale wants to prosecute workers it says are in contempt of a court injunction last week ordering them to cease and desist.

Roy Hawco, the union leader for the crane operators, says he doesn’t condone the walkout but labour relations at the site are toxic with unresolved grievances and anger over living allowances.