Prince George, B.C.- Although Canfor workers at Plateau Mill in Vanderhoof and in Chetwynd   had served strike notice on the company, the strike action that was set to start on Sunday, is now on hold and the  contact talks will head to mediation.

 

There is a special clause in the Chetwynd agreement that in the event strike notice is served, it first triggers mediation.

 

USW 1-424 President Frank Everitt says they have been in talks with their mediation department, and expect mediated talks will start sometime early next week. “We are hopeful mediation can help both parties reach a settlement that will be agreeable to both parties” says Everitt.

 

The United Steelworkers, local 1-424, have been in talks with Canfor in an effort to develop a new contract as the previous one expired at the end of June.  The Canfor contract talks are the first in what is to be pattern bargaining.

 

The Union  is pressing for a wage increase, to offset what it calls the “sacrifices” made over the past 6 years during the downturn in the lumber industry. The membership has given the union a strong strike mandate, with 95% of the membership voting in favour of such action should contract talks break down.