COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho - Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) reported the United Steelworkers Union Local 5114 went on strike today at the Company’s Lucky Friday Mine, located in Mullan, Idaho.
“We are disappointed in USW Local 5114’s decision to walk out, because this decision benefits no one – not the workers, their families, the local communities or the Company,” said Phillips S. Baker, Jr., Hecla’s President and CEO. “Lucky Friday has been an important part of the local economy for nearly 75 years, providing jobs with an above-average wage plus benefits.”
Mr. Baker continued, “Our last, best and final offer provides competitive benefits but also provides the flexibility necessary to operate the mine successfully in a changing economic and regulatory environment. Since the Lucky Friday is our highest cost mine, the changes will allow costs to improve. While it is unfortunate Local 5114 has taken this action, we believe that with Hecla's cash flow, and strong treasury, the strike will not have a material impact on our financial position.”
ABOUT HECLA
Founded in 1891, Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) is a leading low-cost U.S. silver producer with operating mines in Alaska, Idaho and Mexico, and is a growing gold producer with an operating mine in Quebec, Canada. The Company also has exploration and pre-development properties in seven world-class silver and gold mining districts in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and an exploration office and investments in early-stage silver exploration projects in Canada.
