USW, Local 1-2017 Seeks Strike Mandate

Jul 24, 2018 | 10:29 AM

PRINCE GEORGE – After meeting with the employer group five times, including yesterday, the United Steelworks Union says it has been forced into a corner.

USW, Local 1-2017, represents 13 different work sites: Canfor Divisions (Isle Pierre, Fort St. John, Houston and PG Sawmill), Conifex Divisions (Fort St. James and Mackenzie), Tolko Divisions (Lakeview, Soda Creek and Questwood), Hampton Affiliates, Dunkley Lumber, West Fraser Williams Lake Planer and Lakeland Mills. 

USW, Local 1-2017 says the employer group, CONIFER, is unwilling to bend on even basic changes to the collective agreement, such as leave for members struggling with domestic violence, union representation and pension funding improvements.
As such, the union is asking its 1,800 to seek a strike mandate.

“These employers have been riding on a high for better than a couple of years now. Lumber prices have exceeded $500 US per thousand, 2×4 randoms. Still going strong, even though we talk about our countervailing duties, all of those things, there’s not a peep. The employers making nothing but money hand over fist,” says Brian O’Rourke, President of USW, Local 1-2017. “I don’t think the employer group is serious in wanting to negotiate anything and I think the only thing we’re hoping is going to make them sit back and realize is a strike mandate.”