Yellowknife (Jun 02/06) - The war of words continued Thursday between the union and BHP Billiton, each attempting to paint the other's position as the roadblock to ending the eight-week strike at Ekati mine.

From the union's perspective, BHP walked away from talks while the mineral giant insists the union is to blame for the current impasse.

"We have accepted the wage offer, the bonus offer and we're extremely close except that in their minds we're miles apart," said Jean-Francois Des Lauriers, regional vice-president for the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

Yesterday, PSAC announced that it was filing an unfair labour practices complaint against BHP, saying the company's latest offer was "illegal."

What is at issue depends on who is doing the talking. According to Des Lauriers, BHP demanded PSAC drop all of its unfair labour practices complaints and grievances filed on behalf of its members with the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB).

Not so says BHP spokesperson Deanna Twissell, who admits the provision was in BHP's final offer but was removed in order to hasten a deal.

"That's why we were shocked when they wouldn't take (the offer) to their members for a vote, particularly when they agreed to all the other language in every other clause," she said.

However, PSAC's list of outstanding issues goes beyond the unresolved CIRB complaints against the mine. Des Lauriers says PSAC cannot accept BHP's insistence that its employees have a choice whether or not to be represented by the union and the company's demand that the union not penalize members who have crossed the picket line.

With respect to its employees' choice on union membership, Des Lauriers says before the strike the company had already signed an agreement with the union that stipulated, "Everybody who works at the site, employed with BHP and in the bargaining unit, must be a member of the union and must sign a card."

Des Lauriers added that BHP wanted out of deducting union dues from its employees cheques altogether.

"They have no business interfering with the operation of a trade union, to insist they would dictate to us how we are going to run the union is illegal," Des Lauriers went on before addressing those members who have returned to work.

"Crossing picket lines is against PSAC's constitution and extends to all members of the bargaining unit, those who do are liable to be fined and face disciplinary measures."

From the mineral company's point of view, it will not enter into any deal that jeopardizes any of its employees rights.

"We insist on our employees' rights to have the ability to choose whether they want to be part of the union and not be penalized if they have chosen to cross the picket line," said Twissell.

She also answers PSAC on the union dues front, saying that the BHP offer accepted that all members would pay union dues which the company would collect but insisted membership must be optional.

On the issue of seniority, PSAC says the two sides are apart on the issue, which BHP has maintained throughout that they cannot be compromised due to impacts benefit agreements with aboriginal groups and the territorial government.

Adding fuel to the fire is a PSAC threat to make its protest against BHP international, with plans to lobby the company's international partners and customers to halt any dealings with the company until the dispute is settled.

When asked if there were plans to picket local merchants dealing in Ekati mine diamonds, Des Lauriers says it remains an option.