National Post

No end in sight to strike at Noranda

- Solarina Ho and Susan Taylor

TORONTO •A strike at Noranda Income Fund’s zinc- processing plant in Quebec stretched into a 13th day on Friday, with no talks scheduled between management and the United Steelworke­rs of America union.

Noranda’s zinc-processing facility in Salaberry- de-Valleyfiel­d is the second-largest in North America and largest in eastern North America, where the bulk of zinc customers are located. It is managed by a subsidiary of Glencore Canada Corp.

The plant’s 371 unionized workers went on strike after the two sides could not agree on proposed changes to the pension plan in the collective agreement. There have been no talks during the strike and none are currently scheduled, said Manon Castonguay, president of Steelworke­rs Local 6486.

It was unclear whether the strike has severely impacted production at the facility. The union said output was likely very low.

Noranda could not be immediatel­y reached for comment. It had previously said it would provide a production update March 1.

Zinc prices have nearly doubled since January, 2016, due to mine closures and shutdowns. Zinc closed at US$2,817 a tonne on Friday.

Noranda said on Feb. 13 that the Fund would be paying market prices starting May 3, replacing the previous fixed rate, a change that will substantia­lly impact its results.

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