Inco, union form green team

The United Steelworkers of America has teamed up with Inco (TSE) to create an Environmental Awareness Committee, the first of its kind in Canada.

To be co-chaired by Inco vice-chairman Walter Curlook and Steelworkers’ Ontario director Leo Gerard, the committee will examine and make recommendations on a number of environmental matters relating to Inco’s Ontario division.

Also on the committee are the presidents of the Steelworkers’ Locals 6500 (Sudbury) and 6200 (Port Colborne).

“This committee is another big step toward expanding our union’s traditional focus on health and safety to include the environment,” said Gerard. “Now that it is enshrined in the collective agreement, there is a binding commitment to ensure that the environment remains a joint priority.”

Some of the committee’s priorities will be:

— to examine the environmental laws and regulations that apply to Inco’s Ontario division;

— to review and assess environmental matters that relate to division operations;

— to make recommendations on training employees with regard to their environmental responsibilities at the workplace;

— to study and make recommendations for enlarging Inco’s existing safety, health and environment committees.