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Low commodity prices could impact Mount Polley wages

Staff and union workers at Mount Polley Mine told bonuses and wages may be affected due to low commodity prices.

Staff and union workers at Mount Polley Mine have been told bonuses and wages may be affected due to low copper prices, confirmed Imperial Metals Thursday.

"Under the current economic environment with low commodity prices we have been conscientious about cost-cutting in all areas, including wages," said Steve Robertson, Imperial Metals vice-president corporate affairs. "We've been very frank and open with the employees."

United Steelworker Union president Paul French said the company has asked the union to consider deferring the wage increase that took effect Jan. 1, 2016 under the collective agreement and to defer the copper bonus, which is based on a sliding scale.

"We in turn have not agreed to anything," French said Thursday.  "The union is looking at the company's financials to determine if the request is valid."

Both parties are bound by the collective agreement, French added.

 



Monica Lamb-Yorski

About the Author: Monica Lamb-Yorski

A B.C. gal, I was born in Alert Bay, raised in Nelson, graduated from the University of Winnipeg, and wrote my first-ever article for the Prince Rupert Daily News.
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