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Vol.64/No.3      January 24, 2000 
 
 
UMWA fights closing of mine in Nova Scotia  
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BY MICHEL DUGRÉ 
MONTREAL—Five hundred coal miners went on strike January 3 against the last remaining mine operating in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The Prince mine is owned by Devco, a government-owned Crown corporation.

Union member Jim Noble said the walkout reflects "the total frustration of the miners of Cape Breton" arising from a decision by the federal government to get out of the coal-mining business. Devco closed down the Phalen mine last month. About 1,100 Devco employees are expected to lose their jobs as the Crown outfit shuts down.

The workers at the Prince mine, members of the United Mine Workers of America, are angry over the deal being offered by Ottawa. Many older workers have 20 to 25 years of experience but will receive only severance pay and no pension. The strike has spread to other company sites. Devco was granted a back-to-work order by the Canada Industrial Relations Board, but workers have ignored it.

A week into the strike, 10 miners blockaded themselves at the bottom of the mine vowing to remain there until they are certain that there will be more money from the government for them and their families. "We're proud of our husbands that are down there and we're glad that they are standing up for their rights," said Kathy Baker. "We're behind our husbands 100 percent because we got nowhere to go." The area has been hard hit by the crisis of the fishing industry and massive cuts in unemployment benefits.

As we go to press, union officials are meeting with government officials in Ottawa.

Michel Dugré is a member of the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees.  
 
 
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