HECLA: Where value exists

Dear Larry Radford, Vice President of Operations, Hecla Mining:

I met you and your wife (Claire?) earlier this year at the safety/service banquet. for the Lucky Friday Mine. My husband, Sol, and I sat across from you at dinner.

I left the banquet having genuinely enjoyed talking to you and your wife. You were both easy to talk to and seemingly open and honest. Skeptical of management having my husband’s best interests at heart, you won my respect.

On Oct. 4, the employees of the Lucky Friday Mine heard Hecla was taking some time to think before giving the union their “best offer.” So I write this letter asking, if you have any power with these negotiations, please think of your “best” employees. Those employees, like my husband, being honored at that banquet for their service. You saw how long those employees had been at the Friday — 10, 20, even 40 years! Those were the employees you saw, there are many more that weren’t in attendance that night.

I know your job, Mr. Radford, is to look at the big picture. You are in charge of operations for Hecla, not just the Lucky Friday Mine. However, I’m asking you to please adjust your focus. Please consider the men and women you saw at the banquet. You come underground, you know the working conditions. You listened to my husband at dinner and heard for yourself how his service to the company meant his blood, sweat and tears. He is ready to give another 10 years of service but he wants to feel valued. As you think about what the “best offer” is I compel you to think about who you are offering it to — your best employees.

As I said previously, you gained my respect. Please don’t let me feel I misjudged you. The Lucky Friday employees are counting on your ability to be the everyman not just a “corporate guy.” Thank you for your time.

Respectfully yours,

BETHANY SANDBERG

Wallace