Alcan Says Rio Tinto Deal Shouldn’t Affect Labor Talks

Canadian aluminum producer Alcan doesn’t expect an acquisition bid by Rio Tinto to affect negotiations with Alcan’s labor unions, according to a Friday filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Montreal-based Alcan employs about 64,700 workers worldwide, and most of its shop-floor workers are represented by unions, according to the company’s 2006 annual report. The report also said that as of 2006 the company had 26 collective bargaining agreements in effect in Canada. Labor agreements for unionized employees at Alcan facilities in Quebec were renewed in 2006 and are set to expire in December 2011.