Monthly Archives: July 2018

The union representing 1,500 mill workers across central and northern B.C. is taking a strike vote in negotiations with owners. The United Steelworkers Wood Council issued a statement Tuesday announcing the vote will be held at 23 forest products mills, whose owners are represented in bargaining by the Council on Northern Interior Forest Employment Relations.  “The employers are having one of the best economic years in decades and workers should share in this prosperity,” said Brian O’Rourke, president of USW Local 1-2017. Lumber prices have been high despite the imposition of U.S. import duties in February 2017, upheld by the U.S. Commerce Department in December at an average level of more than 20 per cent. Prices hit record levels in June, pushed by seasonal impact of the 2017 forest fires, severe winter weather and strong demand from the U.S. housing market.

An Environmental Appeals Board hearing to resolve a long dispute over the former Domtar industrial lands in northeast Edmonton has been delayed for at least one month to deal with issues stemming from the recusal of the board chairman. …The board has replaced MacWilliam on its three-member panel that will hear the appeal, but Alberta Environment and Parks is now arguing that MacWilliam’s past decisions on the case should be voided, Van Nes said. In particular, the provincial department is fighting a ruling that the board has jurisdiction to hear appeals on the type of enforcement order that was issued against Domtar and Cherokee. …Cherokee and Domtar are fighting enforcement orders issued in 2016 and earlier this year to conduct extensive soil sampling and clean up any contamination on property north of Yellowhead Trail near 44 Street.

PRINCE GEORGE – After meeting with the employer group five times, including yesterday, the United Steelworks Union says it has been forced into a corner. USW, Local 1-2017, represents 13 different work sites. …says the employer group, CONIFER, is unwilling to bend on even basic changes to the collective agreement, such as leave for members struggling with domestic violence, union representation and pension funding improvements. As such, the union is asking its 1,800 to seek a strike mandate.”…I don’t think the employer group is serious in wanting to negotiate anything and I think the only thing we’re hoping is going to make them sit back and realize is a strike mandate.” …The deal negotiated here will set the pattern bargaining for the rest of the province.

About 1,500 mill workers impacting 13 sites in northern B.C. are expected to take a strike vote sometime in the next week or so. The move could impact all of Tolko employees in the north, half of all of Canfor’s work force located in Fort St. John, Houston, Isle Pierre and Prince George, as well as the West Fraser planer in Williams Lake, to name a few, said United Steelworkers Wood Council Chair Bob Matters Tuesday. Matters also listed other northern sawmills which will see their employees take a strike vote… “The employees have been quite frustrated,” said Matters. …“The employers are having one of the best economic years in decades and workers should share in this prosperity,” said Brian O’Rourke, president of USW Local 1-2017.

PRINCE GEORGE, BC, – The United Steelworkers (USW) Wood Council met for a fifth round of bargaining with the Council on Northern Interior Forest Employment Relations (Conifer). Unfortunately, the employers came to the table unable to negotiate straightforward proposals. Given the strong lumber market, the union believes the employers should come to the bargaining table prepared to address workers’ issues. “We are looking for improvements to our working conditions,” says Bob Matters, USW Wood Council Chair. “The employer is unwilling to discuss the most basic proposals. Our workers are demanding changes and we will fight for them. We are bargaining for 23 different worksites and it’s time to send them a message,” Matters said. The union has proposed changes to the collective agreement that include leave for members struggling with domestic violence, union representation and pension funding improvement.