Nickel Belt NDP MP Mr Claude Gravelle said he told Ambassador Mr Paulo Cordeiro de Andrade Pinto that Vale Inco's bargaining approach is giving Brazil a black eye.

In recent weeks, Gravelle and Sudbury NDP MP Mr Glenn Thibeault, as well as Mayor Mr John Rodriguez, have spoken out in favor of the Steelworkers.

As well, Liberal Leader Mr Michael Ignatieff, during a party caucus meeting in Sudbury earlier this month, called the Steelworkers' position reasonable and urged Vale Inco to get back to the bargaining table.

Some have also placed their hopes on Mr Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the president of Brazil. He was reported by Bloomberg.com to be interested in reasserting state control over Vale. Yet Brazilian Budget Minister Mr Paulo Bernardo quelled those hopes in comments quoted by the Marxist Leninist Party of Canada.
(Sourced from www.nugget.ca)