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Convoy From P.G. and Smithers to Rally In Burns Lake

By 250 News

 Opinion 250 News File photo


Truckers from Prince George to Smithers will rally in Burns Lake this Saturday in support of their fight for a better deal from Canadian Forest Products Ltd. and West Fraser Mills Ltd.

Members of the Prince George Truckers Association (PGTA) plan to converge on Burns Lake to publicize Canfor¹s and West Fraser's stubborn unwillingness to negotiate a fair and reasonable agreement with their union partner, the United Steelworkers.

"We believe that people in this region are fair and reasonable," says PGTA president Dan Henry. "When they learn how unfair these companies are being and how much that hurts our communities, we believe they will help us pressure them to sit down and resolve this dispute."

USW representative Wade Fisher adds: "We simply don't understand these companies' positions. We are currently negotiating with their contractors in Prince George and Smithers. Why won't they agree to similar talks in Houston and Burns Lake? Why are they singling out truckers in these communities?"

The truckers will also hear from BC Federation of Labour president Jim Sinclair and Steelworkers' District 3 director Steve Hunt. In addition, there will be a community barbeque following the rally, which gets underway at 1 p.m. The PGTA and Steelworkers are inviting all local residents.

"This isn't just about truckers. It's about our communities,² says Fisher. ³When truckers make less money, that's fewer dollars going into our towns. Local truckers spend just about every dime they make in these two communities. When was the last time you saw the shareholders and owners of West Fraser and Canfor shopping in Burns Lake or Houston?"

Truckers will leave Smithers and Prince George on Saturday morning, picking up more in communities along the way, to rendevous en masse in Burns Lake.

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