Publish1/7/2010 10:37:06 AM

Union fights to keep Kidd Met jobs

By: Northern Ontario Business staff

CAW Local 599 bargaining unit chair Ben Lefebvre is telling members not to get complacent about losing their jobs with Xstrata Copper this spring.

In December, Xstrata Copper announced its copper and zinc processing operations at the Kidd Metallurgical site will close in May, causing the loss of 670 jobs.

“It’s about Xstrata Copper stealing our raw natural resources in order to profit at the expense of our members, our families and our communities,” stated Lefebvre in a release from his 2009 chair report. “It doesn’t have to be this way. We shouldn’t have to pay for the company’s poor business decisions.”

Lefebvre is urging members and the Timmins community to sign a petition demanding the Ontario government force Xstrata Copper to continue operating the met site.ed on: