Canfor Workers in Houston Facing Reduced Work Week

Thursday, April 17, 2008 03:58 AM

Houston, B.C. - The cuts and shifting changes announced by Canfor earlier this month are taking shape. Workers in Houston have received notice they will go to a four day work week effective the 21st of April.

Hourly paid employees will continue to be paid for a five day week as Canfor has entered ito a workshare program with Human Resources and Social Development Canada.

How long this change willbe in effect depends on the market conditions.

Canfor has already announced its PG Sawmill will move from 3 shifts to 2 and its Clear Lake finger joint operation from 2 shifts to 1. In addition there will be downtown, more for some than others.

The changes are aimed at taking 600 million board feet off the market.

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Clarification

the HRSDC program will see hourly workers paid about 1/10th of an EI claim....example,,, while a worker would normally be paid about 200 dollars a day....HRSDC will pay about $85.

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Posted on Thursday, April 17, 2008 03:58 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Junco on April 17 2008 7:24 AM

A four day work week but paid for five, now that would work for me.

Posted by: lostfaith on April 17 2008 8:04 AM

Yes Junco I was thinking the same thing. In the past I had to use the UI system and if you worked any more than 2-3 days in a week you didn't get any benefits for that week.

Posted by: realitysetsin on April 17 2008 8:30 AM

My understanding is that they only get 55% of the wages on the 5th day. The thinking is that rather than lay them off for a period of time outright it's best for all to lay them off 4 days a month...

I gotta think that a lot of these folks will have ugly tax returns though... cause making what they make and collecting EI = big tax bill doesn't it?

Also I don't think this deal would apply to the trades as they could go anywhere and get a job still... anyone know that for sure?

All in all a good program though... These guys pay into EI... this is what it is for...

Posted by: lostfaith on April 17 2008 9:16 AM

The story says they will be paid for a 5 day week, not 55% for the 5th day.
Yes they did pay into EI as do all employees. The way they hand it back out when it is needed is not fair to everyone.
It should be the same for all and it is not.
It doesn't matter if they are tradesmen or broom pushers, all are eligible.
If you make a certain amount of money at your regular job and then you are laid off and are collecting UI for awhile, you may have to repay the benefits you received. Taxes are deducted from the benefits.

Posted by: thestraightgoods on April 17 2008 12:03 PM

Having experienced the workshare program recently, it is my understanding that payment for the 5th day is approx. $85 (1/10 of a full E.I. claim).
As for tax implications that would be determined on a individual basis. According to Service Canada: If you made less than $48,750
(net income) in the previous taxation year, you will not have to repay E.I. benefits. If you made more than this amount you will be limited to repaying 30% of the total net income above $48,750.
Also if the workers haven't received more than a week of regular E.I. benefits in the last 10 tax years they are Exempt from Repayment. Contact Service Canada for more info.

Posted by: realitysetsin on April 17 2008 12:15 PM

Lostfaith.

The story is wrong then.

It's not a full rate of pay for the 5th day.
I think it's 55%.

Posted by: realitysetsin on April 17 2008 1:05 PM

Lostfaith.

The story is wrong then.

It's not a full rate of pay for the 5th day.
I think it's 55%.

Posted by: mythoughts on April 17 2008 2:15 PM

It is 55%. My husband works at a sawmill that received it last year. They worked 4 days & were paid $85 (less taxes) for the 5th day. And you are correct 'realitysetsin', the choices are lay them totally off for many weeks or one day a week. EI encourages employers to join the Work Share Progam. It's actually cheaper for us as taxpayers this way and the employees get to keep their jobs. The max for one week is $480 so it's cheaper to pay them $85 a week. Also, taxes, EI, CPP, etc are all deducted from those 4 days they do work so they are still contributing to the taxbase.

Posted by: justamom on April 17 2008 5:32 PM

Yes and remember. Any employee that is a member of the United Steel Workers of America
1-424. You are entitled to recieve refunds on union dues if you work less than a 40 hour work week. Contact your local or agent-for more information. This isn't being made common knowledge.

Posted by: frankgeorgeson on April 17 2008 6:39 PM

I almost feel ripped off that I have to work 5 days a week. But then I am happy and thankful that the mill I work at is doing so well.

The question I have is about West Fraser.
They do not seem to be doing curtailments and I even hear a rummour that they are increasing production at LeJack in Fraser Lake and possibly bring back the third shift in Houston.

Oh well I'll just cash my paycheque confident in the fact that inflation is down and my money goes futher. I think someone should really question Stats Canada's shopping basket. I think it is way out of line with today's realities.

I see winter is coming back. Happy frezzing. Frank

Posted by: realitysetsin on April 17 2008 7:35 PM

West Fraser is diversified in the right way right now. IE Little or no OSB.

Their non lumber holdings are doing well. IE Pulp.

I gotta think that if they were a private company they would have taken more action. Losing shareholder money would seem to be easier than losing your own money as say the privately owned Tolko which seems to take a more conservative approach.

Posted by: thestraightgoods on April 18 2008 3:12 AM

Justamom

The correct language of the U.S.W. By-law regarding the refund of union dues is as follows : You are entitled to receive a refund on your dues if you work 40 hrs. or less in a calender month.

For more info. talk to your Plant Committee or Business Agent.

Posted by: Bond on April 18 2008 10:17 AM

BC Liberals Forest Policies...working hard for the Forest Companies, hardly working for the Forest Workers. Hail Hail Gordon Campbel's and his raw log exporting deal!!

Let us not forget on May 12, 2009 how Gordon Campbel and his Liberal Governmet failed us.