Canfor Entered Into Tentative Agreement with Leading Workers' Unions

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Canfor announced that it has reached a tentative deal with two of the largest workers’ unions- Unifor and the Public and Private Workers of Canada (PPWC). The deal is likely to establish a pattern for the Western Canadian forestry.

The unions noted that the agreement reached with Canfor covers 900 members at Unifor Local 603 and 1133 and PPWC Local 9 in Prince George, B.C. The details of the deal are not likely to be made public until presented to its members for ratification. However, the four year deal is said to include wage increases and benefit improvements. Also, it provides no concessions to workers from their current agreement.

The round of collective bargaining and the agreement reached thereafter sets the pattern for approximately 5,500 workers belonging to 13 Unifor and five PPWC local unions in B.C. and Alberta.

Commenting on the deal, Jerry Dias, Unifor National President said that the deal establishes a strong pattern agreement for forestry workers in Western Canada, providing them with some additional security. At the same time, the deal is likely to provide some certainty to employers as well, as the sector passes through several critical issues including access to fibre. Meantime, Gary Fiege, PPWC President expressed hope that the deal would set a positive and fair path forward for pulp and paper workers in the region.

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