OPEN | PIT

No definite date as yet has
been set for final closure of the
Cassiar Mine open pit operation.
Spokesmen for the mine indicated
that they would attempt to remove
another two benches of high qual-
ity ore before shutdown.

The electric shovels have
been moved out and work is’ con-
tinuing with the aid of one cat
and two loaders. Ore is being
stockpiled at the site for future
milling, while the change-over to
underground takes place.

Company officials indicated
that safety is the prime concern
at this time and will be the

-ultimate factor in final closure.
-Work has been reduced to two
shifts during the daylight hours.
As well as the radio monitoring
system in place, two spotters are
on duty to watch for any visual
sign of the rock beginning to
move.

Closure of the open pit has
been anticipated for the ek

ye ate oes 2S z=

Major Security. Lid. |
Signs Union Contract

Security guards at  Brinco

Mining (Cassiar Resources Divi-
sion) have become the first group
of these workers in Western Can~
ada to have a collective agree-
ment as members of the United
Steelworkers of America.

Steelworkers' staff repre-
sentative Betty Cavanagh says the
three-year contract with Major
Security Ltd., which provides the
service to the Cassiar mine, has
meant major improvements for the
seven guards.

"These workers were provid-
ing the service for $8 an hour,"
said Cavanagh. "The contract has
meant their wages now will be
jncreased to $13 an hour, along
with much-needed vacation im-
provements, seniority provisions
and other basic rights like a
grievance procedure.

"We've also managed to elim-
inate archaic policies that  pro-
hibited the guards from inter-
acting with the community or hav-
ing a free lifestyle at all."

The Union was certified in
January as bargaining agent for
the guards who now are members of
Local 2952, based in the Lower
Mainland. They are the newest
group of Steelworkers at the
mine, joining 254 production and
maintenance workers in Local 6536
and 40 office and technical work-
ers in Local 8449.

Cavanagh said the company
has also agreed to pay the guards
for taking the industrial first-
aid training they need to do
their jobs at the mine.”

‘the Voice of Cassiar Cou ntry

JUNE 1989 _—_si15s
CLOSURE

FEATURE SUPPLEMENT commemorating
the closing of the pit.