Cameco to shut uranium mine, mill after strike notice
by Canadian Manufacturing.com Staff
The work stoppage involves approximately 535 unionized employees at the two operations
SASKATOON, Sask.—Uranium miner Cameco Corp. has initiated a shutdown of its McArthur River mine and Key Lake mill operations and will cease production at those sites in response to receiving a strike notice from the United Steelworkers.
The union has advised Cameco of its intention to commence strike action on August 30.
Saskatchewan-based Cameco says it then issued a lockout notice effective that same day to assure a safe and orderly shutdown of its facilities.
Cameco says it is continuing to meet with the union during the 72-hour notice period.
The work stoppage involves approximately 535 unionized employees at the two operations. Contract negotiations began in November 2013. In July, the company and union jointly applied for conciliation under the Canada Labour Code.
Comeco says any labour disruption is not expected to affect the company’s 2014 uranium delivery commitments, though it may “draw on a variety of supply sources including primary production, and existing purchase commitments and inventories.”
Cameco is one of the world’s largest uranium producers, a significant supplier of conversion services and one of two CANDU fuel manufacturers in Canada.
