News release

May 24, 2006

PSAC to stay at Ekati diamond mine

YELLOWKNIFE - The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) has issued a decision clearly confirming that the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) remains the bargaining agent for almost 400 workers at the Ekati diamond mine in the Northwest Territories.

The CIRB made the decision following an application seeking the revocation of a previous Board decision declaring the PSAC as the bargaining agent for these workers.

In its decision, the Board said that the union has satisfied the onus of having made a reasonable effort to enter into a collective agreement and has communicated with the employees in the bargaining unit.

For PSAC National President John Gordon, the CIRB decision reinforces the position the PSAC has held since its certification as the representative of the workers at the Ekati mine in June 2004.

“The CIRB confirmed that the PSAC has done everything it was required to do in representing the workers at the Ekati mine,” said Gordon. “We are negotiating in good faith, and we are keeping our members well informed throughout the process. We continue to negotiate and to work hard to reach a settlement that will address our members’ main issues.”

The main issues in dispute are salaries, job security, seniority and vacations. The workers of the Ekati Diamond Mine became members of PSAC in July 2004.

The Ekati mine is located 300 km northeast of Yellowknife and is owned by BHP Billiton, a multinational corporation based in Australia. PSAC members work as truck drivers, welders, process plant workers, crane operators, electricians and in other occupations in the mine.

For information:
Alain Cossette, PSAC Communications (613) 560-4317
(613) 293-9210

18-240506