Janet Smellie
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 13/98) - The RCMP were called to the picket line outside of Miramar Con mine twice on Wednesday to break up a blockade strikers had set up to prevent a delivery truck access to and from the mine site.

RCMP Staff Sgt. Marlin Degrand said police responded early Wednesday morning when strikers had positioned two 45-gallon drums at the entranceway to the mine.

"We had a brief discussion with the union and there were no real problems, we just pushed the barrels out of the way. There was no resistance or obstruction once we explained the requirements under the law," Degrand said.

RCMP were called out again around 4:30 p.m. that afternoon when strikers had repositioned the barrels back across the entranceway.

"We're trying to make a point," Dale Rolfe, local 802 picket captain told xxxYellowknifer.

"We know we can't stop them (but), we can hold them up."

Rolfe said what was particularly bothersome to the strikers was that the propane delivered by VLR Carriers Ltd. out of Fort Saskatchewan chose Remembrance Day to cross the line.

"They had three trucks last week -- now another one. These guys are showing no couth, crossing a picket line on Rembrance Day."

"This action was the result of our membership's frustration at the company for not getting back to us," Cliff Moroz, president of the United Steelworkers Local 802, said Thursday.

"The last time we talked to them (Miramar Mining) was darn near two weeks ago and the membership is frustrated.

"Our membership doesn't want anyone crossing the picket line, but it has been a very peaceful line. This was just a show of frustration."

Moroz did confirm that the minister of Labour has called Dennis Howe, the conciliator who has already worked with the bargaining committee, back into the picture.

Miramar spokesperson Brian Labadie did not return Yellowknifer calls.