Brian Butler

Dallas Smith’s Aug. 16 commentary, “Indigenous rights are key to resolving strike,” rightly emphasizes the need for stability in the forest industry. …However, one company that stands apart in rejecting that stability is La-kwa sa muqw Forestry LP (LKSM). This company is refusing to follow the coast pattern collective agreement and the level playing field it provides. …While I agree with Smith that many bargaining proposals are agreed upon, it is incorrect for him to say wages and monetary terms are settled. …Smith’s commentary suggests our constitutional right to collectively bargain is “inconsistent with Indigenous self-determination and constitutionally protected rights.” We strongly disagree. It also claims that introducing a non-union contractor aligns with the 2019 Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). Again, we reject the notion that constitutionally protected, and provincially regulated labour rights can be overridden simply because an employer — regardless of Indigenous ownership — wants to contract out union jobs.