Work Underway Aimed At Reopening A P.G. Sawmill

Wednesday, September 08, 2010 03:48 AM

Prince George, B.C.- Minister of Forests and Range, Pat Bell says there may be some very good news on the horizon for the re-opening of a sawmill. “I think there is a very good chance for some good news late this fall or early winter”.

Bell won’t identify the mill, but the Rustad mill and the Winton Global mill in Prince George have both been idle for some time while Clear Lake closed its finger joint plant in mid August.

Bell says if the mill reopening materializes, there should be a great deal of credit given to Frank Everitt, the President of local 1-424 of the Steelworkers Union “Frank has been very pro- active in his negotiations with the different companies, He has established a new model of contract that’s tied to profitability that has a bit of a sliding scale for wages and bonuses and I think it is absolutely the right thing to do, so congratulations to Frank and the Steelworkers.”

The Steelworkers are in negotiations this week with Dunkley Lumber and Tolko .

Bell says right now, it looks like the odds of a possible re-opening of a saw mill in the area, are about 50-50.

Previous Story - Next Story

Email |

Print |

Facebook |

Twitter |

Digg |

Del.icio.us

Posted on Wednesday, September 08, 2010 03:48 AM in News by 250 News

Return to Home

Comments

Posted by: Andyfreeze on September 8 2010 9:44 AM

Beware Liberals bearing gifts right now!

Posted by: Palopu on September 8 2010 9:45 AM

Interesting. How does this relate to the fact that a Clear Lake employees have voted 67% to reinstate the concessions they gave a few years ago. Will this mill stay open without the concessions, and if so how does this relate to the new contract Bell is talking about.

With the price of lumber in the tank, and the US Housing market remaining stagnant, the possiblity of more mills coming on line at this time is pretty remote. I doubt if China will take anymore production in he short term, but who knows.

Maybe Pat has some credibility, or maybe he and the Liberals are putting outas much good news as possible to divert attention from their ill fated HST fiasco, and the possibility of re-call.

Posted by: dirtcheap on September 8 2010 9:49 AM

Does anyone really care what Bell says, he is just telling everyone what they want to hear, it sure does not mean he has any facts to reveal.

Posted by: Born in BC on September 8 2010 9:50 AM

Clear Lake does not relate to the steelworkers as it is not a union mill.

I cant imagine that Rustads will be reopening.

Posted by: hammmy on September 8 2010 9:57 AM

I'll only believe it when I see it.
Ol Frank Everett squirming, must of had quite a cut in pay since the mills shut down. Mustn't have squandered any union dues into a Swiss account. There's probable no money in the coffer for when one retires for a union pension.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on September 8 2010 11:50 AM

Good point dirtcheap!
Which is why I am very sceptical about feel-good announcements from a Liberal right now!

Posted by: pgguru on September 8 2010 7:50 PM

andyfreeze looks like hell is going to freeze,let me assure the great rustad bros sawmill is about to re open.

Posted by: camoose on September 8 2010 8:17 PM

Gee, thanks Pat. I'm already forgetting your stand on the HST. NOT.

Posted by: supertech on September 8 2010 8:37 PM

When it re-opens it will be with new employees and less pay.

Posted by: northman on September 8 2010 9:47 PM

All wild speculation until...

A major correction in lumber prices comes along.
putting another mill back online will only flood the market more keeping the prices low.

but who knows in this bear market..anything can happen.

Posted by: pgguru on September 9 2010 3:14 AM

supertech ,old workers have recall and sure it will be witk less pay