After the Mediator between the Vale Inco and its Ontario employees, Kevin Burkett, quit the round of negotiations on Sunday, the ray of hope that could have put an end to the differences seems have evaded.

The employees have been pursuing this strike since past 8 months. The strike that kicked off on August 1, 2009, saw the wagers demanding bonuses and surge in wages.

Holding the round of talks for 10 long days, the mediator called it off.

"We're saddened, disappointed and angry in lieu of what's happened", said Wayne Fraser, the USW District 6 Director. "We went to the bargaining table and we actually conceded on a number of their issues", he added.

The union pointed out that the committee has introduced many proposals.

"It's just a horrible offer, within the offer itself it doesn't even have a return to work protocol", said Fraser about the company's proposal.

A spokesman from Vale Inco, Cory McPhee, expressed the company's disappointment for offering better wages and pension plans.

"We do need changes to make sure we have a long term future in the business, but we were able to work within that construct to come up with a deal that we think was very good for the future of the business and for employees", said McPhee.

The company officials and the protestors will be meeting with a conciliator on 15th and 16th of March.