Sawmill workers taking strike vote

Job action by the B.C. Interior’s unionized sawmill workers is set to spread.

United Steelworkers members working at Canfor’s Plateau, Polar and Chetwynd sawmills are voting this week on whether to give the bargaining committee a strike mandate.

The outcome should be known by Saturday, USW Local 1-2017 business agent Brian O’Rourke said, and if it’s in the affirmative, they will join a growing number who are in a strike position.

Those employed in the southern region moved into strike position on Tuesday morning after mediated talks held in Kelowna last week with the employer’s bargaining agent, the Interior Forest Labour Relations Association, broke down.

“After making some very significant moves to break the logjam between the two parties, the industry still insisted on keeping concessions on the table and dictating conditions on bargaining,” said USW lead negotiator Bob Matters in a statement.

Workers at 13 mills in the northern region have been in a strike position since Oct. 6. They had waged a campaign of rotating strikes, which was put on hold while the talks in Kelowna were held.

Next steps will likely be determined next week.

“We are just at a standstill for right now,” O’Rourke said.

The USW is accusing employers of refusing to share with workers the “record profits” they have reaped this year, “while insisting the union agree to concessions.”

“The USW Bargaining Committee remains committed to achieving a fair collective agreement for our members. The bargaining committee has pushed the employer hard at the negotiating table and believe now job action by the membership is needed to send a clear message.”

Council on Northern Interior Forest Employment Relations, the bargaining agent for those 13 mills, is offering two-per-cent wage increases in each year of a five-year contract. Reached this week, CONIFER executive director Mike Bryce said the association remains willing to reach a negotiated settlement that’s acceptable to both parties.