By Angela Gemmill
Shock is what most at Steelworkers Local 6500 felt after hearing that 18 workers were laid off….just weeks after a settlement in the almost year long strike at Vale.
Union Vice President Rick Bertrand says there was an agreement the 113 positions needed to be eliminated, but they thought the figure was covered through retirements and workers quiting.
Bertrand says 155 workers have either retired or quit since the deal was reached on July 8th.
Union reps will be speaking with the company this afternoon to try and save the 18 jobs…or at least secure transfers to Vale sites in Port Colborne or Thompson, Manitoba.