Don't you just love the contradictions when people are asked whether these strikes will impact Nickel prices. The last article said not immediately, This one says something a little different.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601082&sid=aq7aMgwUD6n8

Nickel Price Forecast Raised by CPM for Final Quarter on Strike

By Claudia Carpenter

July 27 (Bloomberg) -- "Nickel will average 6 percent higher in the fourth quarter than previously forecast after a strike at Vale SA and increased imports by China, according to CPM Group.

Nickel for immediate delivery will average $15,015 a metric ton in the final three months this year, up from a previous forecast of $14,155 a ton, CPM analyst Catherine Virga said by phone from New York today.

Vale workers in Sudbury, Ontario, began picketing the company’s sites on July 13 after voting against a proposed contract. The company had through such an agreement sought concessions on pensions, bonuses and seniority benefits, according to Wayne Fraser, a director at the United Steelworkers union. China’s imports of unwrought nickel and alloys climbed for a third month in June, customs data showed.

CPM also raised its copper, lead, aluminum and zinc forecasts and lowered its estimate for tin, Virga said. "

To contact the reporter on this story: Claudia Carpenter in London at ccarpenter2@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: July 27, 2009 12:28 EDT