Yellowknife (Jun 30/06) - The Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce voiced support for jeweller Jason Yamkowy, who says the Public Service Alliance of Canada unfairly protested in front of his store June 17.

Sasha’s owner Jason Yamkowy shows off a CanadaMark brand diamond necklace on June 23. He says the PSAC unfairly protested his store. - Philippe Morin/NNSL photo

A statement from the Chamber calls the PSAC’s actions harmful to Yamkowy’s business and says the Chamber previously asked the union to refrain from “intimidation, threat (implied or direct) or similar means negative to the Yellowknife business community” during the strike.

A tentative agreement between the union and Ekati mine owner BHP Billiton was reached June 22. A ratification vote is expected to be held today.

Steve Meister, president of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, says he was “disheartened” by the event, especially since he says the PSAC has been a valuable member of the community on many occasions.

He also says he fears the PSAC’s “Dirty Diamonds” campaign might reduce diamond sales, even now that the strike is resolved.

Yamkowy says he is glad the Chamber agrees with him.

“It was the wrong way to go about it, especially since many of my diamonds were mined, cut and polished before the strike ever happened,” he said.

Jean-Francois Des Lauriers, regional executive vice-president of the PSAC, says the campaign will continue until the strike officially ends and no changes are planned for the promotional campaign.

“We are not boycotting businesses or blocking people from shopping. However, we are encouraging people not to buy Aurias and CanadaMark diamonds.”

The campaign has so far included protests in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, as well as ads in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times.