(CLASP) email: mtn@igc.org
5019 West Fillmore, Milwaukee WI 53219
Contact: Gerry Gunderson (414) 543-8474
Committee of Labor Against Sulfide Pollution (CLASP)
UNIONISTS BACK MINING MORATORIUM BILL,
OPPOSE COMPANY PRESSURE TACTICS
The Committee of Labor Against Sulfide Pollution (CLASP)
announced plans to invite Milwaukee workers to a Tuesday (Oct. 14)
rally and hearing in support of the Sulfide Mining Moratorium
Bill. CLASP spokesperson Gerry Gunderson, a Milwaukee
member of United Steelworkers of America (USWA) Local 1527,
pointed to a number of union local and Central Labor Council
resolutions around Wisconsin in support of the bill (see below).
He denounced attempts by the mining equipment firms P&H
Harnischfeger and Bucyrus International to "pressure" their
workers to attend the hearing to oppose the legislation.
Bucyrus employees, claiming that Assembly Bill 70 would
"ban mining in Wisconsin," and that existing mining laws
protect communities from environmental and economic
damage. Gunderson replied that "the Mining Moratorium
Bill only requires companies such as Exxon to prove that
they can do what they claim to be able to do--to operate
a sulfide mine for ten years without damaging the environment.
Exxon says 'profit first', we say 'prove it first.' " He added,
"The companies are distributing one-sided, misleading
propaganda to their workers. State mining laws used to
be strong, until corporate lobbyists secured exemptions
for mining companies."
CLASP has documented what it terms poor worker health
and safety track records of Exxon Minerals and Rio Algom--
the two companies that co-own the Crandon Mining Company,
which plans to open a zinc-copper sulfide mine next to a
tributary of the Wolf River (see CLASP web site). Madison
member of AFSCME Local 2412 Debi McNutt said, "The
movement to keep Exxon out of Wisconsin has already
bridged the gap between Native Americans and sportfishing
groups. Now it is also bringing together many labor unions
and environmentalists."
"We have spoken with union members in the Milwaukee
area and around the state, and they have shown overwhelming
individual support for the Moratorium Bill." said Gunderson,
"The mining industry has singled out a few unions for high-
pressure tactics, including suggestions that their jobs are
at stake. Pro-mining companies have offered their workers
no access to contrary views. Given access to both sides,
many workers will choose to keep a clean environment, and
to keep mining companies with poor worker safety records
out of Wisconsin."
The main group lobbying against AB70 is the Coalition for
Fair Regulation (CFR). CFR includes board members from the
Crandon Mining Company and Flambeau Mining Company, as
well as Bucyrus International and Harnischfeger's P&H Mining
Equipment Inc. Gunderson said, "CFR includes companies
involved in anti-labor practices such as outsourcing and plant
closings. Where does CFR stand on labor issues such as
universal health care, equal pay and benefits for W-2 workers,
OSHA reform, and a Living Wage? Is CFR interested in joining
hands with labor, or only in using us?".
The Assembly Environmental Committee will hold a hearing
on AB70, the Sulfide Mining Moratorium Bill, on Tuesday,
October 14, at 1 pm at the State Fair Park Trade Mart Building
(84th & Greenfield). CLASP unionists will join environmental
groups holding a rally at 12 noon, and some will also testify
at the hearing. For more information, call CLASP at
(414) 543-8474, or see:
EXCERPTS FROM UNION RESOLUTIONS ON SULFIDE MINING
"Whereas, the Fox Valley Area Labor Council has always
been a strong proponent for safeguards for all workers
and their families, including protections for their
environments, and because the mining projects of
Exxon and Rio Algom will have adverse effects on
these environments and;
Whereas, these companies have ...demonstrated a
disregard for workers' safety and health by their poor
records in these areas.....
Therefore Be It Resolved, that the Fox Valley Area Labor
Council strongly opposes the proposed copper and zinc sulfide
mining projects in the Crandon area and urges other concerned
citizens of Wisconsin to support the Mining Moratorium Bill....
Be It Further Resolved, that the Fox Valley Area Labor Council
stands in solidarity with the many other unions and environmental
groups in Wisconsin that have also enacted resolutions endorsing a
Mining Moratorium Bill....."
--FOX VALLEY AREA LABOR COUNCIL AFL-CIO (Menasha)
_____________________________
"Whereas, the La Crosse AFL-CIO Council has always been a strong
proponent for safeguards for all workers and their families, including
protections for their environments.....
Whereas, the effects of the Crandon mine on.... groundwater qualities,
tourism needs, and wildlife habitats are apt to be of a harmful nature;
Therefore Be It Resolved, that the La Crosse AFL-CIO Council
strongly opposes the proposed copper and zinc sulfide mining project
....and urges other concerned citizens.....to support the Mining
Moratorium Bill ."
--LA CROSSE AFL-CIO COUNCIL (La Crosse)
_____________________________
"Whereas, the Crandon Mining Company (CMC, owned by Exxon and
Rio Algom) has embarked on a massive public relations campaign....
Whereas, metallic sulfide mine tailings leach out toxic acid containing
dangerous heavy metals requiring containment...for hundreds of
years;....
Therefore Be it Resolved that the South Central Federation of Labor,
AFL-CIO, strongly opposes CMC's proposed copper/zinc sulfide
mining venture....and recommends that the State AFL-CIO support the
Mining Moratorium Bill......"
--SOUTH-CENTRAL FEDERATION OF LABOR AFL-CIO (Madison)
_____________________________
"...Whereas, Exxon and Rio Algom have poor records regarding
worker health & safety, and in environmental protection;.....
Whereas, No sulfide mine has ever been successfully reclaimed;
Whereas, the effects of the proposed Crandon mine on water table
levels.....wild rice beds, lake and river quality......is likely to be negative........
Therefore Be It Resolved, that Local 1527 strongly opposes CMC's
proposed copper/zinc sulfide mining venture.....and strongly supports
the Mining Moratorium Bill ......"
--UNITED STEELWORKERS OF AMERICA LOCAL 1527 (Milwaukee)
_____________________________
".....Whereas, the Exxon mine threatens the Wolf River which has
been named the fifth most endangered river by the national group
American Rivers;
Whereas, degradation of the Wolf River....threatens our quality of life
as citizens of Wisconsin;
Therefore Be It Resolved, that the membership of UAW Local 72
strongly opposes the proposed mining project in the Crandon area."
--UNITED AUTO WORKERS LOCAL 72 (Kenosha)
_____________________________
"Whereas, sulfide mine wastes....must be sealed and capped for
hundreds of years; and
Whereas, any benefit of the proposed Crandon mine will be largely
enjoyed by only a small, wealthy, corporate elite......
Therefore Be It Resolved that the Members of AFSCME Local
82....strongly opposes CMC's proposed copper/zinc sulfide mining
venture.... Members of Local 82 call upon the labor community to
stress that no position in favor of CMC has been approved on behalf
of labor...."
--AFSCME / WSEU LOCAL 82 AFL-CIO (Milwaukee)
_____________________________
"...Whereas, these companies have exhibited open hostility toward
unions and workers, and have demonstrated a disregard for workers'
safety and health by their poor records in these areas....
Therefore Be It Resolved that the CWA 4620 strongly opposes the
proposed copper and zinc sulfide mining project....and urges other
concerned citizens to support the Mining Moratorium Bill....."
--COMMUNICATIONS WORKERS OF AMERICA Local 4620 (Green Bay), Local 4621 (Appleton), Local 4622 (Oshkosh) and Local 4623 (Fond du Lac) Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 4603 (Milwaukee) - all passed the same resolution.
_____________________________
"We oppose the development of this and any other mineral ores in
Wisconsin by the Exxon and Rio Algom corporations....due to these
corporations' history of blatant disregard for the health and
welfare of working people world-wide."
--AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS LOCAL 3220 AFL-CIO (Madison)
_____________________________
"Whereas, .... the mining projects of Exxon and Rio Algom will have adverse effects on these environments .... these companies have demonstrated a disregard for workers' safety ....
....the effects of the Crandon mine .... are apt to be of a harmful nature;
....the Building Trades .... urges other concerned
citizens of Wisconsin to support the Mining Moratorium Bill
--GREEN BAY BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION
TRADES COUNCIL
(Brown, Door, Kewaunee, Oconto and Marinette counties)
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