News release

April 3, 2006

PSAC files complaint of unfair labour practice against BHP Billiton

Yellowknife- The PSAC/ Diamond Workers Local X3050, representing 400 workers at the Ekati diamond mine, filed a complaint for unfair labour practice against BHP Billiton for their refusal to allow union officials to access the mine site.

Todd Parsons, the President of the Union of Northern Workers, was one of the union officials who were refused access to the mine site. He believes BHP Billiton violated the workers' rights. "The company has no right to prevent us from meeting with the members of the union," Parsons said. "As part of Canadian fundamental rights, workers have a right to be represented by a union and they must be able to exercise that right effectively by having meetings when necessary."

Parsons explained that the workers come from many regions of the country and the only opportunity to meet with them is at their arrival, or their departure from, the mine site 300 north-east of Yellowknife . The company, he said, must understand that those are very exceptional circumstances and should make every effort to ensure their workers have full access to union representatives.

For Jean-François Des Lauriers, the PSAC Executive Regional Vice-President- North, being represented by a union is a Canadian right which must be respected in every region of the country, even the most remote ones.

"Canadian society frowns upon any organization that would try to deprive a group of workers of their basic rights," Des Lauriers said. "No matter how remote their place of work is, all Canadian workers are entitled to full and effective union representation," he added.

For Des Lauriers, this refusal of access to the mine site comes at an especially bad time. The PSAC members have been negotiating for 14 months in order to reach a first collective agreement with the company. "The company's final offer fell short and they now must address the worker's main priorities of wages, seniority, vacations and job security," Des Lauriers said.

For information
Dave Thompson, PSAC-North  1-867-444-3343
Fraser Hiscock, PSAC-North  1-867-444-7410
Alain Cossette, PSAC Communication  1-613 293-9210

02-030406