Canadian and U.S. Steelworkers Rally at Hecla Mining AGM

VANCOUVER, May 23, 2019 /CNW/ - Steelworkers and other members of the B.C. labour community will join striking miners from Idaho today in a demonstration at Hecla Mining Company's annual general meeting, to protest Hecla's anti-labour practices.

About 240 members of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 5114 have been on strike for more than two years at Hecla's Lucky Friday mine in Mullan, Idaho, the longest labour dispute in the history of the state's Silver Valley. The miners worked under terms of an expired agreement for nearly 11 months before Hecla management's unfair labour practices and demands for concessions forced a labour dispute in March 2017.

"Shareholders must know that Hecla's appalling practices are not only prolonging a labour dispute that harms working families and their community, they're bad for business," said USW Western Canada Director Stephen Hunt, attending today's demonstration.

"Production at the Lucky Friday mine has virtually halted for two years, dropping 95% from 2016 levels. Hecla's 2019 first-quarter earnings call announced an adjusted net loss, followed by a 12% drop in its stock. In the last three years, Hecla's stock price has declined over 75%," Hunt noted.

"Our members and their families are hurting, but we are holding strong for basic fairness and dignity from Hecla," said USW Local 5114 President Dave Roose, representing the Lucky Friday miners.

"We're telling shareholders that Hecla's mismanagement under CEO Phil Baker has gone on too long and is costing shareholders too much money. Given setbacks in other states, shareholders need Lucky Friday operational more than ever," Roose said.

"Hecla needs to bring the Lucky Friday mine online and get its highly experienced, unionized workers back on the job with a fair contract."

SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)