Hecla informs Union of intent to implement

Hecla Mining Company’s Vice President of External Affairs, Luke Russell, reports that the company has sent a letter of intent to the United Steelworkers (USW) Local Union 5114 chapter informing them that they will be implementing portions of their purposed “last, best, & final” offer on Monday, March 13.

This purposed offer was unanimously rejected by the Lucky Friday miners on Feb. 18.

With the news of implementation, Union President Phil Epler has called for a strike vote on Sunday, March 12.

Epler does not have the authority to order a strike, that decision remains with the miners.

Only a simple majority of 50 percent plus one vote is needed to authorize the strike.

The Shoshone News-Press will continue to follow this developing story.