17 April 2019
Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation (Baffinland) announced today that Baffinland and the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 793 (Operating Engineers) have successfully negotiated a Partnership Agreement. Further, the agreement has been ratified by the employees in a vote supervised by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board.
Following a certification application filed by the Operating Engineers to the Canadian Industrial Relations Board in May 2018, Baffinland engaged the Operating Engineers to establish a process together through interest-based bargaining. In November 2018, negotiations between Baffinland and the Operating Engineers began to develop a unique partnership, based on shared values, which puts employees first. The Partnership Agreement supports the success of the company, doing the right thing for employees, and fully respects Baffinland’s other agreements, including the Mary River Inuit Impact Benefit Agreement (IIBA) signed with Qikiqtani Inuit Association.
“Over the last six months, Baffinland and the Operating Engineers have worked closely based on employee feedback to build a partnership that emphasizes collaboration, fully respects our IIBA, and reflects Baffinland’s core value to engage and develop our employees,” said Brian Penney, President and CEO of Baffinland. “Baffinland will continue to explore partnerships that help our employees continue to be successful at Baffinland, and help our company become the lowest cost-producer of high grade iron ore in the world through the safe and efficient operation and ongoing development of the Mary River Mine.”