News Release

February 25, 2004

Ekati diamond miners vote YES to joining the Public Service Alliance of Canada

Yellowknife , NT – In an unprecedented vote, employees of BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. working at the Ekati diamond mine voted in favour of transferring the bargaining rights of the BHP Employees Association (BHPEA) to the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).   The Ekati mine is located in the NWT, approx. 300 km N.E. of Yellowknife.   Bargaining unit votes were held this month on Feb 7, 8, 21, and 22 at the Ekati mine and 61% of employees voted in favour of joining the PSAC.   A simple majority was required for the transfer.

              The BHPEA was certified as the bargaining agent in October 2002 by the Canada Industrial Relations Board.   The Association lacked resources to effectively represent its members and negotiate a contract for BHP Billiton workers.   As a result, a number of concerned members ran in recent elections for the BHPEA Executive.   A new Executive was elected in November 2003, at which time they unanimously supported holding a bargaining unit vote regarding a union partnership with the PSAC.   The PSAC signed a service agreement with the new Executive in December 2003 which provided immediate union representation and education to all BHPEA members.

              “This is a great moment for the labour movement.   Ekati is Canada 's first and largest diamond mine and the success of PSAC represents a major foot hold for organized labour within the diamond mining sector.   I am confident that a union contract will create better terms and conditions of employment and an overall healthier and safer work environment. The PSAC is 100% committed to supporting BHP employees in their efforts to negotiate a fair contract with their employer,” states Nycole Turmel, PSAC National President.

              The new Executive unanimously recommended that employees vote in favour of a union affiliation with the PSAC.   Amos Cardinal, BHPEA President says, “Workers at Ekati are very excited about our union partnership with the PSAC.   We are excited about moving forward from this process to electing an employee bargaining committee and preparing for negotiations with the Company.   It will make a big difference for BHP employees to have access to resources and the backing of 150,000 PSAC members.”

              PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President - North, Jean-Francois Des Lauriers says, “The PSAC will dedicate all necessary regional and national resources to ensure that BHP workers get a fair contract with their employer.”

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For more information contact:

Don Dudar, Regional Organizer, PSAC North

Office: (867) 873-2330 or Cell: 867-444-3343

dudard@psac.com     www.diamondworkers.org

09-250204