Canada’s largest union Unifor initiates strike at Rio Tinto’s Kitimat aluminium smelter

On 25th July 2021, Canada’s largest union in the private sector Unifor stated that about 900 workers had initiated strike action at metal giant Rio Tinto’s operations in the western Canadian province of British Columbia.

On 21st July 2021, Unifor issued a 72-hour strike notice almost after seven weeks of pointless discussions over proposed changes to workers’ retirement benefits and unresolved grievances.

Jerry Dias, Unifor National President, said: "This strike comes down to Rio Tinto's greed and lack of respect for our hard-working members at the Kitimat smelting facilities. Our union is fully prepared to defend our members' rights and protect good jobs in Kitimat now and in the future."

Martin Mcllwrath, Unifor Local 2301 President, said; "Rio Tinto was given every opportunity to reach a fair deal but showed complete disregard for our issues. The difficult and demanding work our members do has made this facility a success for generations. We deserve nothing less than an agreement that respects us, and we will stand up for our rights."

The Canadian union represents about 900 workers at the Rio Tinto’s aluminium smelting plant in Kitimat and power generating facility in Kemano.

Unifor stated it was perpetrated to resolving the labour dispute pleasantly and urged Rio Tinto’s management to reach a fair settlement. However, the mining and metal company had earlier endeavoured an order from the province’s labour relations board declaring power plant workers essential, according to a union bulletin.