Western Forest Products Union Workers Start Strike Action at B.C. Mills

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Western Forest Products (WFP) workers represented by the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1-1937 union on Vancouver Island has begun strike action following the expiry of the 72-hour strike notice served to it on June 28^th, 2019. The stoppage of works began 3.45 PM, Monday.

In a notice issued to its membership, Brian Butler, President, USW Local 1-1937 noted that the union has been forced to enter into a strike, because the company has not addressed the union’s proposals seriously. Moreover, it continues to keep massive concessions on the bargaining table. The union leaders urged the company to seriously address the proposals and remove all of its concessions.  

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Meantime, Susan Dolinski, vice-president of corporate affairs, WFP noted that the forestry industry faces tough market conditions. The lumber prices have almost halved when compared with the year-ago period. The sales have been affected by weak demand from primary overseas market and bad weather conditions within the U.S. The high duties paid on lumber shipped to the U.S. have further compounded the industry woes.

Dolinski stated that the company had taken downtime at three of its B.C. mills- Duke Point, Saltair and Chemainus earlier in June this year. This coupled with the recent strike action is likely to impact people and communities along the coast, she added.

The previous collective agreement between WFP and the union expired in mid-June this year.