Dismissed worker says more to story
Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Mar 07/01) - NWT Rock Services has been accused of violating the Labour Code after dismissing an employee who was trying to start a union.
John Blondeau was employed as a driller with NWT Rock Services from September 2000 until he was laid off on Jan. 25, 2001. The company had been contracted by BHP Diamonds Inc.
Blondeau, who was drilling on BHP's Misery kimberlite pipe in late January, was told to stop drilling because there wasn't enough fuel for his drill.
However, Blondeau alleges that his employment was terminated because he was involved in union activities with the Construction and General Workers' Union Local 92.
Blondeau and several other NWT Rock Services employees began an organizing drive with the Construction and General Workers' Union Local 92 in January.
He and his aboriginal co-workers wanted to start a union because they say they were not getting paid for overtime and workers from the south were given the better jobs.
"(NWT Rock Services) has bent all the standards of the NWT Labour Act and we are entitled to benefits from that," said Blondeau.
According to Blondeau, management soon got wind of what was happening and began questioning employees on what they knew about the union activity.
A few days later, Blondeau said he was told to shut off his drill and head home.
He has since filed complaints with the NWT Labour Standards Board, stating NWT Rock Services violated the Labour Code by terminating him for his union involvement. The union is supporting him in his fight.
"They can't get away with this stuff -- they've abused and used us," said Blondeau, who is now searching for work in Castlegear, B.C.
Cliff Friesen, owner of NWT Rock Services, said Blondeau was dismissed from his duties because of a work shortage.
"There was no fuel ... (the drill) is still shut down," said Friesen, stating he would not provide any further comment on personnel issues.
Yellowknifer has obtained letters submitted to the NWT Labour Standards Board by several of Blondeau's co-workers.
"John Blondeau is one of the finest men you could want on a crew.
"... Nobody should be getting laid off as they (NWT Rock Services) generally have enough problems finding drillers that there shouldn't be need for lay-offs," wrote one co-worker.
Another co-worker submitted that the management for NWT Rock Services is "trying to tell (employees) that a union is a bad choice" and attempting to scare workers out of signing a union certification card.
