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Warren (Smokey) Thomas and Region 6 executive members join workers on picket line.
Sudbury (7 Aug. 2009) - The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) is supporting a strike by workers at Vale Inco in Sudbury.
OPSEU president Warren (Smokey) Thomas and members of the Region 6 executive board, Sue Brown, Peter Wall and Jennifer Giroux, walked the picket line with the employees this week.
The workers have been on strike since July 13. At issue is Vale's demand to reduce a bonus tied to the price of nickel.
The workers also oppose a plan by the company to exempt new employees from its defined-benefit pension plan, which guarantees workers a reliable and steady income after retirement. The company wants to put them on a defined-contribution plan, which bases retirement benefits on investment returns.
Thomas presented the striking workers with a cheque for $2,800 and gave them a promise of continued support.
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