*** BREAKING NEWS: JOB ACTION IN NORTHERN BC ***
As explained by Madison’s Lumber Reporter last week, northern British Columbia sawmill workers currently negotiating a contract are in a position to start job action. That step happened today ….
Prince George, BC, sawmill workers started their picket lines bright and early this morning according to one of its members, said My Prince George Now Thursday morning. Picket lines have gone up outside Canfor’s Prince George sawmill and chip plant, said CFJC Today also Thursday morning.
The United Steelworkers 1-2017 confirmed the news as 40 employees between the two sites are prepared to brave the conditions for as long as possible. There continues to be a major hangup between the union and Conifer.
This after the United Steelworkers started rotating strikes in Williams Lake last week at Tolko’s Lakeview division. The strike has been prompted by a lack of progress at the bargaining table. The union says the bargaining unit for the mills, Conifer, is still asking for concessions in times of record-breaking lumber prices and profits.
Close to 200 union members are involved in today’s job action. It’s the first strike at the sawmill since 1986.