ELKO, Nev. (AP) - The National Labor Relations Board has dismissed a petition filed by a huge mining company in northern Nevada that the workers say is aimed at ending their union representation.
The Elko Daily Free Press reports the board hasn’t ruled yet on the union’s claims of unfair labor practices.
Nevada Gold Mines petitioned the board earlier this month to try to force an election on union membership for the employees at its mines north of Carlin.
Nevada Gold Mines is a joint venture between Barrick Gold Corp. and Newmont that went into effect last July.
Operating Engineers Local 3 union has represented Newont’s Carlin workers since 1965. The union finalized a new three-year collective bargaining agreement for about 1,300 workers in January 2019.
Nevada Gold Mines announced when all Newmont and Barrick employees became NGM employees in December the company wouldn’t recognize the union until all employees voted to ratify their representation.
The company said it intends to appeal the NLRB’s decision.
“NGM remains committed to allowing our employees to have the freedom to choose whether or not they want to be represented,” it said.
Bruce Noel, the local’s director of organizing, says the move is an unfair and unnecessary attempt to to strip workers of union representation.
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