Rio Tinto Limited’s
(ASX:RIO) subsidiary Rio Tinto Alcan, has slashed production at Alma, it’s largest wholly-owned aluminium smelter, after locking out union workers.
The lock-out at the smelter in eastern Canada began on new year’s day. With 755 workers locked out, Alma’s running at one-third of its capacity.
Rio locked the workers out after it failed to replace a contract that was signed in 2006.
Spokesman Bryan Tucker told Reuters 200 managers are operating the plant right now and are going through the process of shutting down the second third of production. He did not say when the lock out is expected to end.
Rio Tinto reported a net profit of $7.5 billion in the first half of the 2011 calendar year.
