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July 22, 2009  - Last Friday, Artur Henrique da Silva Santos, President of the CUT Brazil, and Leo W. Gerard, International President of the United Steelworkers (USW), the largest industrial union in North America formed a strategic partnership to support workers in their negotiations with the Brazilian multinational Vale. The main objective is the renewal of collective agreements in Canada and Brazil.

After months of negotiation, Vale refuses to renew contract provisions covering retirement and other benefits that were part of the agreements for more than 20 years. The workers in Canada rejected the company’s demands and went on strike on July 13. The two idled Canadian sites are Sudbury and Port Colborne, and employ some 4,600 workers.

The Brazilian workers organized in the Vale Union Network, part of nearly 150,000 Vale employees in 35 countries in five continents, are extremely concerned about the fate of the negotiations in Canada, since the outcome could have an immediate impact in the renewal of the collective agreement in Brazil.

"The growing international support for the Canadian Vale Inco workers sends a strong message regarding the importance of this fight," said Ken Neumann, United Steelworkers National Director of Canada.

"With the current international financial crisis, workers don’t need to pay for a crisis they didn’t create," said Artur. The unions of Vale Network related to the CUT Brazil and other unions demand that the company immediately returns to negotiations in Canada, and submits an acceptable proposal to the workers.

"A multinational that has $22 Billion of cash flow, and shows a $13.2 Billion in profits in 2008, while supposedly caring for its image as socially responsible company, doesn’t need to squeeze workers and their communities," said Arthur. Six high-level executives earned $33 million in 2008 and had their pay increased more than 120% between 2006 and 2008, added Arthur.

To support this fight the CUT and the USW have signed a Solidarity Agreement and are organizing an international campaign to be launched at the 10th Concut (CUT’s Congress). Trade unionists from several countries where Vale has operations have committed to attend. The unions will also include the fight of Vale’s workers in the National Day of Struggle on August 14th 2009 and promote actions of solidarity in Brazil, Canada and other countries.

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Contacts: Bob Gallagher, USW (416) 544-5966, Fernanda Sant'Clair, CUT, 55-11/ 2108- 9129