Steelworkers Add Solid Strike Mandate to Canfor Talks
Saturday, September 14, 2013 @ 4:23 AM
Prince George, B.C. – Union workers at Canfor lumber mills in the Northern Interior have given their bargaining team a strong strike mandate.
In balloting conducted Thursday and Friday, members of local 1-424 of the Steelworkers union voted 95 percent in favor of strike action to back their contract demands. Approximately 1500 employees are represented by the Steelworkers’ local at ten Canfor operations in the area. Four Canfor mills in the Southern Interior are covered as well
Local President Frank Everitt says in back and forth bargaining the company “offered a lump sum payment as opposed to percentage increases which would give the workers in the lumber sector parity with the pulp sector that we’ve been associated with over the years, so that everybody in the industry makes the same base rate. Our trades rates are behind.”
A new contract between Canfor and the Steelworkers will form the template for agreements with other forest companies. The old contract expired in June. Everitt says talks with Canfor are to resume on Tuesday.
Comments
I find it quite hypocritical that Frank Everitt can have a strike vote for the steel workers. Say they need an increase in wages and benefits. Yet be a city councillor and say the city workers should get 0,0,2 and be much more flexible. If the steelworkers take zero’s Canfor can sell lumber cheaper then we all benefit. Like that would happen. Mr. Everitt if you are going to demand a raise for your members I suggest you get more vocal and tell Shari and the other council members the same for CUPE.
Agreed! What is good for the goose is good for the ganger! What do the city trades people make in comparison to the pulp mill Frank?
Ummmmm
Mr. Everitt has nothing to do with the pulp mill.
Good correction Billyinpg
CUPE doesn’t deserve a raise. Since the fortunes of the steelworkers are tied to the company they deserve to do well when and if the company does well.
“Local President Frank Everitt says in back and forth bargaining the company offered a lump sum payment as opposed to percentage increases which would give the workers in the lumber sector parity with the pulp sector that weve been associated with over the years, so that everybody in the industry makes the same base rate. Our trades rates are behind.
Don’t embarrass yourselves billyinpg and somerled read the freaking article.
Good call NoWay. How is a trades person for Canfor worth more/less than a trades person for the city public works? They both had to take the same training and time to get their trades qualifications and pretty sure they do very much similar work.
I think Mr. Everitt should give up one of his positions. Either be pro union or pro management, you can’t be both.
Just my thoughts.
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