Forestry Strike Comes to a Close

Forestry workers ended a 13-week strike on Monday, October 22, when 50.77% of workers voted yes to a new 3-year contract. The contract applies to 6,000 of the striking 7,000 workers, and encompasses 31 companies, though Timberland, Interfor, and Timber-West are not covered by the deal. The contract includes raises of two, three, and two percent over the term of the contract, reduces employer’s ability to impose shift schedules, and gives laid-off workers severance pay. Companies are still able to schedule their employees for weekends, but only if they present a valid business case. With such a narrow voting margin, the United Steelworks Union is somewhat divided. Brent Browning, a Ladysmith forest worker, said: “I feel betrayed by my union.” The strike ends amid speculation that had the job action not been settled now, job action would have lasted until spring.

The resolution of the strike comes just after Catalyst announced an 11-day shutdown of its pulp and paper mill in Crofton. Catalyst had cited a lack of chips due to the strike as the principal reason for the extended closure, in addition to the standard four days needed to update and replace worn equipment.