Baffinland Iron Mines mine employees ratify first collective agreement

More than 800 workers at remote facility: IUOE

What started as an organizing drive in May 2017 has culminated in the successful ratification of a first collective agreement on April 17 with Baffinland Iron Mine to represent production employees, that will be effective May 1, 2019.

The International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 793 (IUOE) said it appreciated Baffinland’s decision to negotiate a fair and reasonable mutual gains partnership agreement.

The mine itself is located in Mary River in northwest Baffin Island, Nunavut. It is an open pit iron mine and is the world’s sixth most northerly mine, said the union.

As of the date of ratification vote there were more than 800 workers employed in various positions within the bargaining unit, including many ore-haul truck drivers, heavy-equipment operators, skilled trades and other workers.

IUOE Local 793 represents more than 15,300 crane and heavy equipment operators and industrial and production workers in Ontario and Nunavut. 

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