On Strike

today is the third day of our strike which began Sunday January 30 at 8:00 PM. The main issues are the employers contribution to our Group Benefit RRSP, retiry benefits and some language concerns. There are other issues on the table as well  but these "strike" at the heart of the workers. Presently the employer contributes 5% of eligible wages to our RRSP and we contribute 4%. All contributions are locked into the group RRSP and are not available until you quit or retire. Eligible wages is all regular, vacation and call out hours earned and are paid into the plan every two weeks. When compared to other mining operations that have a pension we fall far short , their contribution level has been costed at $10,000 per year per person ours averages around $3000-$3500 per employee. This has to change. Also we contribute 4% of our earnings ourselves, that is compulsory and is locked in . For accurate information on this strike google USWA LOCAL 9346. For more on this strike check out the January 31/2011 edition of the globe and mail or go to the businees news network i will include the link. http://watch.bnn.ca/business-day/january-2011/business-day-january-31-2011/#clip410265