Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jul 08/98) - It's been two months since striking Con miners took to the picket line.

And there's still no end in sight.

Some 186 members of Local 802 of the United Steelworkers of America walked off the job at 12:01 Thursday, May 14.

"There's a tremendous amount of support on the picket line," Local 802 president Cliff Moroz said.

Asked if any miners had pulled stakes, Moroz said: "There are people who have moved on. The last number we had was about six."

Moroz said many of the members who remain do not want to give up the seniority they have accumulated.

After Con mine owner Miramar Mining Corp. laid off about 120 employees back in December, the remaining miners all had at least a dozen years seniority.

"Most of the guys have been here for a while," Moroz said.

Miramar spokesperson Brian Labadie said there "have been a number of people who have given notice (but) it's not a huge number."

Labadie preferred not disclose just how many employees had quit but he did say six sounds about right.

Labadie also said there is "nothing on the horizon right now" when it comes to meetings with the local.

"Our position is that the mine has to be economic."

For that to happen, Labadie said the company has to make costs reductions.

While the labor dispute continues, Local 802 members are getting by on payments from a strike fund.

Moroz said the maximum strike pay is about $125 a week.

Miners' strike pay, administered by the local in Yellowknife, is based on contributions to the strike and need.

On meetings with the company, Moroz said there have not been any. Nor are any planned.

The local has made it clear to the company that it is not going to accept any cuts.

Moroz said the miners have seen enough cuts.

As the strike continues, the price of gold remains lacklustre. Monday's afternoon gold fix was $293.25 US.

Miramar stock was unchanged at $1.60 Monday morning.