Panel data provided by Madison's Canadian Lumber Reporter.

Union Wants Workers Thoughts on Safety

By 250 News

The Steelworkers District 3 Director, Steve Hunt , is calling on the Forest Safety Council of BC to meet directly with the United Steelworkers Union,  and other reps of workers, employers, and contractors.  He wants them to re-think the proposed safety initiatives until there has been more input from the workers.  

The Steelworkers claim the self regulated program is based on one in use in the Alberta oil and gas sector which Hunt  says is largely non union "They seem not to have considered how to make this compatible with unionized workplaces that have collective agreements and joint health and safety committees in place" says Hunt.

Hunt believes  there is a need for  consultation "We all need to get on the same page and get comfortable with what we are doing “he said. It’s our member’s safety that is at stake, so it is essential that workers be involved in any discussion."

Hunt feels the industry dominated safety board has lost direction and hasn't done enough  to co-ordinate its efforts with unions, or Work Safe (the former Workers Compensation Board)
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