Media Release

Workers Safe on the Surface

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      January 30, 2006

(Regina, SK) – All but 5 members of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada Locals, 890 and 892 who after spending more than 24 hours underground in sealed refuge stations at the Mosaic potash mine in Esterhazy, Saskatchewan have arrived safely on the surface.  Company representatives are assuring the public that within hours the final 5 workers will be re-united with their loved ones.

“We share the relief of 67 families this morning,” states CEP Vice President, Dave Coles, “and we look forward to having the final 5 members safe on the ground.  There are always dangers inherent with working underground but we could not be happier with this result.”

“We applaud the efforts of the mine rescue teams who ensured the safe return of these workers to their families,” continues Coles.  “These mine rescue teams, which included CEP members from this mine as well as rescue teams from other worksites did a great job. It was a collaborative effort and their work is greatly appreciated.”

“It appears that all safety procedures were followed and that the training that our members received at the mine was critical in their survival of this potentially devastating fire,” concludes Coles.

The accident occurred at the K2 potash mine at approximately 2:30 am January 29th trapping 76 Mosaic and Dynatec employees. 

CEP represents 160,000 members across Canada. In Saskatchewan the 9000 CEP members work in a wide variety of workplaces which includes the potash industry, most of Saskatchewan’s Crown Corporations, the petrochemical industry, pulp and paper plants, in print and broadcast media, the printing and graphical sector and the hospitality industry.  CEP members at SaskEnergy work in the transmission and distribution of natural gas within Saskatchewan.

For more information contact:

Dave Coles, CEP Vice President                                          604 240-7284
Gord Hunter, National Representative     
2365 13th Avenue, Regina, SK, S4P 0V8                             Office 306 777-0005
Cell     306 539-2007

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