The International Association of Machinists Local 1848 in Flin Flon set up a picket line at noon Saturday as they began strike action against Hudbay. 

Hudbay has operations near Flin Flon and Snow Lake, and says the striking workers represent about 12% of its 1,460 person workforce in Manitoba.

The Union gave Hudbay strike notice Wednesday noting none of their outstanding language issues were addressed and the wage enhancements still leave them far behind the wages paid to apprentices and certified trades at sites in The Pas and Thompson.

Union President Rene Beauchamp states since 1971 there hasn’t been a labor dispute in this town.  He says they’ve been bullied long enough, they’re going to stand up to the corporate bully and they are not going to back down.

Hudbay Vice-President of the Manitoba Business Unit Rob Winton said last week the Company will continue to operate with their contingency plan in place focused on the health and safety of all the employees.          

The Union says they are willing to resume bargaining at any time provided the employer has something better to offer.