Prince George, B.C.– Steelworkers Union Local 1-424 is just weeks away from completing its survey of forest workers.

 

The survey started around the time of the Save our Community Rally in Mackenzie which was sparked by the closure of several mills. Since then, the downturn in the forest industry has been amplified by the Canfor decision not to rebuild North Central Plywood.

 

“The news that Canfor would not rebuild the NCP Plant sent those hopeful the plant would be rebuilt into another tailspin,” said Frank Everitt, President United Steel Workers local 1-424. “However, despite having over 5,000 forest workers unemployed in the region, the efforts of service providers, educational institutions and government agenises have shown significant progress in their efforts to assist these workers.”

 

“Collectively we are all pulling in the same direction to address the needs of threatened or displaced workers but more needs to be done,” stressed President Frank Everitt.” “These are extremely trying times for workers and their families and we all have to be innovative in our efforts to deal with this present situation. Giving workers the tools, skills and financial support needed to maintain employment or seek employment is a smart investment for the short and long term and that also means changing our whole way of thinking when applying resources and funding to ensure the maximum benefit for workers and their family.”

 

“The forest worker will provide valuable information to assist governments, educational institutions and service providers with data from over 1,500 forest workers in all sectors of the industry Union and non- Union,” added Everitt.

 

 “The development and support of the Forest Worker Rapid Response team has been a real benefit, pulling together and connecting forest workers with job opportunities, skills training and assisting them with government programs or making the connection with service providers in their area,” noted Everitt. “It’s really difficult if you’ve never been out of work because you don’t know where to start, and that’s what many of these workers are facing today.”