A representative of the largest union local representing workers at IOC in Labrador West says his members are frustrated with the pace of progress in addressing what they see as COVID-19 vulnerabilities in the area.
United Steelworkers Local 5795 President Mike Furlong says they want a number of measures put in place to protect area residents and staff at IOC.
They include regional isolation—referencing what’s happening in neighbouring Quebec where regional segregation is taking place.
Four mining operations are run out of three sister communities, Lab City, Wabush and Fermont, Quebec.
Furlong says the people of Lab West have more social and economic ties to Fermont than other parts of this province. Because of measures put in place in Quebec, the communities are now effectively segregated, but Lab West remains vulnerable.
Checkpoints are in place in Fermont, Baie Comeau, Quebec City, and Montreal, to control travel-related exposures. They want to see similar measures put in place in Labrador.
He says screening needs to be put in place for those coming into the region—including a possible 14-day self-isolation for those coming in, even from St. John’s.