United Steelworkers’ response to Copper Mountain’s letter to employees
February 12, 2025
Dear Copper Mountain workers,
Your employer is trying to scare you away from joining the United Steelworkers union (USW)—Canada’s #1 mining union. Their recent letter is filled with half-truths, vague promises and outright misinformation. Don’t be fooled.
Let’s set the record straight: you deserve the facts.
The truth about unionization at Copper Mountain: workers keep coming back to the USW for a reason!
Management claims that the USW is “again attempting” to unionize the mine, as if this is something being forced on workers. But let’s be clear: it’s the workers themselves who keep coming back to the USW because they know they deserve better.
Workers at this mine have repeatedly stood up and demanded fairness, safety and a real voice on the job. Over the years, despite management’s efforts to discourage and divide them, they have continued to organize, proving that the issues they face have not gone away. Workers know that without a union, they are at the mercy of company decisions made behind closed doors.
A company’s “direct relationship” with workers means nothing if those workers have no power to negotiate real improvements to their wages, safety and working conditions. The fact that this isn’t the first organizing campaign isn’t a sign of failure—it’s proof of persistence.
Workers are NOT giving up and neither is the USW. This time, let’s make sure your voices are heard loud and clear.
The truth is, you need to hear both sides before making an informed decision.
Copper Mountain Mine management claims to respect your right to join a union—but what they’re really saying is they want you to hear only their side before making a decision.
If they truly believed in an informed choice, they wouldn’t just be urging you to come to them for answers—they would encourage you to hear from both the company and the union. Because the truth is, a one-sided story isn’t the full story.
Your decision to unionize is exactly that—your decision. Not the company’s. Not management’s. Yours. And that’s why it’s crucial to get the full picture. Talk to your coworkers. Talk to the union. Ask the tough questions of both sides.
The company wants you to believe they have all the answers—but the real question is:
Are those answers in your best interest or in theirs?
The truth about your union card
Copper Mountain wants you to be cautious about signing a union card—but what they’re not saying is that unionizing is your legal right, protected under the B.C. Labour Relations Code. They cannot threaten, intimidate or retaliate against you for supporting a union, no matter how much they try to make you second-guess your decision.
The company wants you to believe that automatic certification at 55% support is a problem. But in reality, this law exists to PROTECT YOU from employer interference. If a majority of workers sign a union card, it’s because they want a better future—not because they were tricked. Workers at Copper Mountain have been choosing to sign union cards for years, demanding change. Now is your chance to join them.
And let’s be clear: Your union card is YOUR choice. Copper Mountain cannot revoke it, override it or dictate your decision. They fear you standing together and that’s why they’re trying to discourage you from signing one. But the power is in your hands. Make your own decision. Get the facts. Don’t let management decide for you.
A union means real results—and that’s the truth!
Copper Mountain wants you to believe that unionizing won’t change anything. That’s
a lie.
Here’s the truth: once workers unionize, the company is legally required to negotiate a fair, binding contract with you, the workers. That means no more vague company promises. Your wages, benefits and job security will be protected in writing.
The company says they won’t agree to anything that “jeopardizes the economic viability of the mine.” That’s just corporate speak for “we’ll decide what’s fair, and you’ll take it or leave it.” But when workers stand together, they have real bargaining power to push for better wages, stronger benefits and safer working conditions—just like thousands of other unionized miners across Canada.
The USW has delivered real, concrete results for mining workers across the country. That’s why we’re Canada’s #1 mining union. Copper Mountain says their wages and benefits are already “competitive,” but the real question is: who are they competing with—the best in the industry or just the lowest standard they can get away with?
With a union, you don’t have to take their word for it. You get a seat at the table.
You get a legally protected contract. You get real results.
The truth is a union means real job security
Copper Mountain says contractors are only here to “fill a void” and that no permanent employees will be laid off—but without a union contract, that promise means nothing.
Right now, management can bring in contractors whenever they want, for as long as they want, with no obligation to prioritize permanent employees. They claim they’re “actively recruiting” for permanent roles, but what guarantees do you have? Without a union, nothing stops them from relying on contractors instead of investing in stable, full-time jobs for workers like you.
With a union, you have real job security. USW contracts across Canada protect against unchecked contracting out, ensure fair hiring practices and hold companies accountable to their workers—not just their production targets.
Don’t let management’s words distract from the reality: without a union, your job security is only as strong as the company’s next decision. With a union, you have the power of a legally binding contract that protects your future.
The truth is real safety means workers have a voice
Copper Mountain claims they are “100% committed” to safety—but who’s holding them accountable?
When safety is left entirely in the hands of management, workers are expected to just trust that their concerns will be addressed. But real safety isn’t about trust—it’s about power. With a union, workers don’t just hope the company follows through, you have the resources, training and legal backing to enforce safer working conditions.
Right now, management controls the training, the policies, and the response to safety concerns. With a union, workers have a real say in safety standards and the power to hold the company accountable.
Don’t wait until after an accident happens to realize that promises aren’t enough. Unionized workers have safer jobs because they have real protections, real enforcement and real power to demand better.
The truth about union protection: your rights, your security
Copper Mountain wants you to believe that unionizing won’t guarantee job security, but the real threat to your security is leaving your future in the hands of management alone.
Yes, unions cannot prevent discipline for cause or layoffs due to economic conditions. But what a union does protect you from is arbitrary or unfair treatment. Right now, management controls the process for evaluating, disciplining and even firing workers—and without a union, there’s nothing to stop them from making decisions that benefit the company, not you, the workers.
With a union, you gain job security through a fair, negotiated contract that you vote to accept. You’ll have the power to challenge the company and not rely on management’s “good faith” promises. Instead, you’ll have legally enforceable protections.
The company says it wants to “work directly with employees,” but that’s the problem—without a union, employees don’t have real bargaining power. They might say they’re flexible, but they’re the ones making the decisions. Unionized workers, like you, are the ones at the bargaining table, fighting for better conditions, better pay and better job security. And if you think management’s track record speaks for itself, just remember: flexibility works in their favor, not yours.
A union guarantees that your voice is heard, not just when it’s convenient for the company. It’s time to stop trusting promises and start securing your better future.
The truth is, it’s time to take control
Don’t let Copper Mountain decide your future. Get the facts. Ask questions. Know your rights.
Contact Deepak Kullar at 778-893-6784 or dkullar@usw.ca for more information from the union.
The choice is yours—not the company’s. Stand together. Fight for better.