Flin Flon, MB – World solidarity against a mining giant has stretched all the way from South Africa and Brazil to the IAM picket lines in Flin Flon, Manitoba.
The 180 members of IAM Local Lodge 1848 were given a surprise boost not only to their morale but to their strike fund as well this week. “You just never know who is watching out for you and paying attention to your struggles,” said a surprised IAM Grand Lodge Representative Ian Morland. On Wednesday May 27th a man who chose to remain anonymous, donated $500 to the Local Lodge strike fund. “He told us our fight with Hudson Bay Minerals is bigger than we could imagine,” explained Morland. “He wouldn’t give us his name but he did say he was a former heavy-duty mechanic who worked in the mines of South Africa. He gave us the donation and told us not to give up the fight.”
The members set up picket lines outside Hudbay facilities in Flin Flon and Snow Lake on Saturday May 2, 2015. They’re seeking parity with apprentices and certified trades at mine sites in The Pas and Thompson, Manitoba.
The very next day, yet another donation were bestowed upon the strikers. “A gentleman came through the backdoor of our strike office to make a donation to our strike fund,” said Morland. He said he represented Brazilian miners who make $400 per month. He handed over an envelope and stated there was more where that came from. “He wouldn’t give his name, he said that wasn’t important, but he said we were in a world-wide fight against the mining conglomerates for miners everywhere. After he left we opened the envelope and found $1000.00 inside.”
‘We were stunned,” explained a delighted Morland. “This is the kind of thing that makes you realize that we’re fighting not just for ourselves. In all of my years as a trade unionist, I’ve never seen anything like this, it really is special.”
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