In a news release from earlier today, Rio Tinto announced that they have begun reducing production at their BC Works aluminum smelter in Kitimat because of a strike initiated by the Unifor Local 2301 union after negotiations were unable to create a new collective labour agreement.
Production is going to be reduced to about 35 per cent of the smelter’s yearly capacity, so that it can still safely be operated by the remaining staff and employees required to work by an essential services order that was given out by the BC Labour Relations Board.
Rio Tinto’s Aluminum managing director of Atlantic Operations gave a statement saying that: “Reducing production will have a significant impact on the business and community, but we are committed to taking the necessary steps to operate safely with a reduced workforce.
The reduced workforce is also in place at the Kemano hydro-power facility to make sure that it will continue to run safely as well.
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