Tembec’s proposed layoff plans challenged by Unifor

MONTREAL (Scrap Monster):  The labor union representing workers at Tembec’s Temiscaming, Quebec sawmill operations has decided to contest the company’s decision to lay off workers starting June 20^th this year.

Layoff decision

The surprise announcement by Tembec management came during first of the series of meetings between the company and Unifor Local 233. The meetings were part of plans to discuss ways to reduce or eliminate the arbitrations between the two parties. According to Roger Gauthier, president of the union, the company representatives announced the decision of layoff at the start of the meeting. Tembec announced that it plans to cut 24 jobs at the Temiscaming fibreline operations. At the same time, five new positions will be created, they said. As per Tembec, the move is aimed at reducing the cost of operations at the facility.

The company internal memo issued Monday noted that cost factors have prompted the company to reorganize the fiberline operations and shipping services at the plant. Consequently, 24 positions will be eliminated in operations. At the same time, 5 new positions will be added. Moreover, instead of filling retirement vacancies in the maintenance mechanical department, seven electricians or instrumentation technicians will be newly recruited.

Collective Agreement

The nearly 650 workers belonging to the Unifor Local 233, after a three-week long strike, had signed a four-year collective agreement with the company in December 2014. The new agreement had introduced several revisions to discipline-related clauses which had played a major role in worsening the labor relations with the company. The new agreement included 2% annual salary hike and lump sum payment of $1,000 amongst other clauses.

Breach of agreement

The labor union claimed that efforts to reduce cost should not be a condition for lay off, as per the new collective agreement. As per the agreement, Tembec is allowed to lay off employees only in response to changes in technology or automation, total mill or departmental shutdown, temporary shutdown of operations, any act of God, administrative dismissal or attrition following a voluntary departure.

Contesting the decision

Roger Gauthier announced that the union has decided to contest the layoff decision as it was in clear violation of the job security provisions in the contract. He urged that the issue be resolved at the earliest. The union will raise the issue in the meetings scheduled next week between the two sides. He also added that the union is having many other problems with the company which will be discussed. Meantime, Tembec vice-president of human resources and corporate affairs Linda Coates stated that the company is willing to talk about the issue in the upcoming meetings.

About Unifor

Unifor is Canada’s largest private sector union. Unifor Local 233 represents about 600 employees in operations, office and maintenance at Tembec operations in Temiscaming.

About Tembec

Tembec is a manufacturer of forest products – lumber, paper pulp, paper and specialty cellulose pulp – and a global leader in sustainable forest management practices. Tembec has operations in North America and France with approximately 3,250 employees. Tembec directly manages nearly 9 million hectares (about 22 million acres) of Canadian forestlands in keeping with responsible forest management practices.