Canfor cuts shift at Canal Flats saw mill

VANCOUVER (Scrap Monster): According to Canfor, the B.C Canal Flats sawmill will go from two shifts to one effective May 4^th this year. The company’s decision to cut shift at the mill is likely to affect 81 employees. Canfor stated that the management would do all the needful to reduce the impact of the decision on affected employees.

The company management held discussions with local employee unions regarding possibilities of transfers to other nearby mills and benefits such as severance pay, pension and moving costs to affected employees. According to United Steelworkers Local 1-405, the decision by the company is a major one not only because it affects almost 50% of the employees at the mill, but also due to the fact that it is a permanent layoff. A Transition office is being opened at the site, where members from management and union will be available to provide needful assistance to employees.

“It’s going to have a very negative impact on people of Canal Flats and indeed, the entire valley. Many of the members reside in Canal Flats, Kimberley, Cranbrook and Invermere. These are workers with families and mortgages.”, said Doug Singer, President, United Steelworkers Local 1-405 in Cranbrook.

The Canal Flats sawmill with 1780 members has existed on the current site for over 85 years. The shortage of economically available fiber has resulted in lack of sufficient timber supply to the mill, forcing the company to reduce the operating capacity at the mill.