Western Forest Products-USW New Tentative Agreement Ratified

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Westen Forest Products, Inc. (WFP) announced that its hourly employees represented by the United Steelworkers Local 1- 1937 (“USW”) have ratified the new tentative agreement in replacement of the collective agreement that came to an end by mid-June last year.

According to company press release, the new 5-year collective agreement will come into force effective from June 15, 2019 and will expire on June 24, 2025. It proposes general wage increase of 3% in first year, 2% each in second and third years, 3% in year 4 and 2.5% in the fifth year.

The new agreement also offers improved health and welfare benefits to employees. It allows the company to maintain its rights to operate alternate shifts, subject to implementation of an enhanced shift review process. It ensures additional operational flexibility in its Timberlands operations through introduction of additional USW contractors.

Commenting on the development, Don Demens, President and Chief Executive Officer, WFP commented that the company is pleased to have the new collective agreement in place. WFP intends to begin operations as soon as possible. However, the startup will be dependent on several conditions including availability of employees and contractors, market demand, weather conditions and log supply.