MINERS: A union view

It’s sad to look across a vacant parking lot that not long ago had the cars of 240+ employees in it. Hecla’s (HL) “Power Grab” has forced the employees to choose to strike rather than ratifying a contract that’s made up of mostly concessions that address control, not so much economics. The saddest thing is that HL says they are prepared to wait out the union.

Let’s put that into perspective: HL is prepared to starve out the employees who continually contribute to the company’s success preforming one of the most dangerous jobs in the country. On the heels of HL reporting a $69 million profit for 2016, they are forcing through implementation, cuts for the hourly employees at the Lucky Friday. What a wonderful way to acknowledge your employees’ hard work!

USW Local 5114 didn’t want to open the contract for negotiation this year. We hadn’t planned to ask for anything. Hecla requested it be opened so they could throw their list of concessions on the table and haven’t moved on them much since.

Shareholders, including myself, don’t appreciate the fact that you are holding a producing property hostage for a power move, not so much an economic move. Using the production figures from last year, this strike has taken over $6 million of cash flow (not including lead and zinc values) out of the company’s budget so far and it’s only at day 35.

PAUL SALA

25 year Lucky Friday employee

Cataldo