Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 15/98) - As the strike deadline approached Wednesday night, Con miners, bug repellent in hand, assembled at the gold mine's gates.

At 12:01 a.m. Thursday, security shut the gate.

With current market conditions, some are wondering if it might be the last time. Gold continues to hovers just under $300 US.

When the strike was declared, about two dozen United Steelworkers of America Local 802 members, who have been without a collective agreement since April 30, 1997, were at the main gate. They lit a fire in an old oil barrel, set up a trailer and quietly took up picket signs.

"Nobody wants to strike (but) we have to send a message," said mill operator Robert Forestall.

Miners said the local is still taking issue with December's layoff. They say the company did not follow seniority.

Between Christmas and New Year's, mine owner Miramar Con Mining Corp. cut 130 positions. Some 120 miners lost their jobs and the Local's role dropped to about 185 members.

"All we want is a fair agreement," miner Dale Rolfe said.

One miner said the strike is not so much about money but seniority, while another spoke of alleged bonuses for management.

Cliff Moroz, Local 802 president, said Wednesday he spoke once more with mine officials earlier that day. "They had nothing to offer," he said.

The strike comes amid mine maintenance which was to last two weeks.

Miner Cecil Martin said the maintenance includes replacing part of the mine equipment key to getting ore to the surface, the loading pocket.

The loading pocket, a large steel box at the bottom of the shaft, measures ore tonnage so it can be safely hauled to the surface.

Miramar senior vice-president Brian Labadie said the company is disappointed with the action that was taken by the union, but added that "shutdown is not even in the cards."

Labadie was in Yellowknife Wednesday for a meeting with union officials. As of Thursday afternoon no additional meetings had been scheduled.

The bottom line is, the mine must be viable, Labadie said. Production costs are about $325 US an ounce at Con.

The company has contracts to deliver gold but if it is not producing it can buy on the spot market, where gold is trading for about $296 US.

Con is Miramar's most significant asset. Its only other producing asset is a joint venture in Cuba.

Const. Cliff McKay of the Yellowknife RCMP said police are aware of the situation but have taken no extra precautions.

"We're always on alert. We know that there's always potential, but everything seems to be fine right now," McKay said.