Prince George, B.C.- The United Steelworkers Local 1-424 have ratified a new contract with Canfor. The package covers those workers employed by Canfor’s 15 operations in the southern and northern interior.

The ratification vote was completed late yesterday on the four year deal which provides for wage increases of 0, 0, 2 and 2 % over the term of the agreement.

The agreement also carries some innovative “investments” by the workers.   The union workers have agreed to defer a floating holiday, boxing day, and reduce their vacation pay by 3% until the lumber industry returns to good health or December 31^st of 2011, whichever comes first. Once that happens, the deferred items will be returned.   The savings amount to about $1.50 per hour per employee.

The agreement also provides profit sharing based on the positive performance of the Solid Wood division of Canfor.   When the division is showing a certain level of profitability, the workers could receive a bonus that ranges from $140 dollars to a maximum of $1,000.

The package also provides for unique seniority protection. Under the agreement, seniority is protected for the length of the contract.   That means anyone who was laid off in July of 2009 will be on the recall list for a full four years instead of the 24 months under the previous agreement. This will give protection to those on the job, and to those who were laid off   since July of last year.

There is a trades adjustment which will see the first instalment of 50 cents an hour added as of today, and a further 50 cents an hour to be added   July 1^st of 2011.

The agreement also allows for payment of tuition and text books for apprentices, provides a medical travel plan, life insurance, permanent/partial closure language and significant safety language. Local 1-424 President Frank Everitt says the safety language is a joint effort to eliminate injury and illness on the worksite.

This agreement is to be the pattern for other forest industry contracts in the province. Local 1-424 President Frank Everitt says the talks begin today in Kelowna with the Interior Forests Labour Relations Association which represents several forestry companies in the southern interior.