Daily Archives: December 10, 2019

Taylor Bachrach

OTTAWA, ON —Skeena-Bulkley Valley NDP MP Taylor Bachrach called on the federal government to provide assistance to forestry workers affected by sawmill closures across B.C. in the House of Commons today. Bachrach called on Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan to meet with community leaders and work to provide greater flexibility in the EI system so that workers can access financial assistance as Christmas approaches. “B.C.’s forestry workers need help now and the federal government is missing in action,” said Bachrach. “It’s been a tough year for many families in my riding and across B.C., where many northern communities rely on forestry work. At the very least, I’d hope that the new minister would come to B.C.”

The for sale signs that recently sprouted up on lands owned by Western Forest Products near Shirley have some residents concerned about the potential damage to their drinking water. …“They (WFP) are selling the land to be developed into 10-acre residential lots. That means there would be at least 15 homes sinking wells and installing septic fields on land that’s right in our watershed for Goudie Creek. …But, Hicks said, the forestry company stepped away from that concept after the CRD failed to buy into the plan. The company notified Hicks that their head office had directed that the entire parcel of land be sold. …Representatives of the Ministry of Forests issued a statement saying that the land is governed under the Private Managed Forest Land Act and that Western is free to sell their land at any time..

VICTORIA — The president of Western Forest Products is appealing for Premier John Horgan to intervene in the longest strike in coastal forest history, but the union whose members have spent more than five months on the picket line insists government should stay out of the dispute. Don Demens, CEO of Western Forest Products, said it’s time for the NDP government to step in on a strike. …“People are hurting.” …Mediator Vince Ready, who has resolved high-profile disputes… has been overseeing talks for months. “Government is doing absolutely the right thing,” said Brian Butler, Steelworkers’ local president. …“The government should not be intervening in this dispute.” Horgan on Monday called it a “private sector dispute between parties.” …The company isn’t asking for a specific provincial action, only that government use its authority to bring both sides toward a deal, said Demens.

Bill Routley

Having retired from B.C. politics and four decades of work in the B.C. forest industry on Vancouver Island… I have learned a lot about dealing with the diverse labour relations attitudes and styles within the B.C. forest industry. …Some of those I worked with had fairly good labour relations with the union. …I have always wondered as a workers’ representative, why employers would want to mistreat the people who they need and rely on to make critical decisions, produce their product and ultimately make their money? …I ask the CEO of WFP, is this really the legacy you want to leave; taking the Chemainus Mill from one of the most profitable, productive and best places to work in B.C. and making it a place where the workers are this angry with your working conditions, policies and disrespect?

FORT ST. JAMES – Residents of Fort St. James are in a holding pattern after Conifex announced plans to sell its mill to Hampton Lumber, but shutter operations until Hampton could build a new mill on that site. Joy Reierson has lived in the community for the past 15 years. She says people community are “hanging on” through the course of the downturn in forestry. “People are doing jobs that they weren’t doing before. They’ll be working as a cashier in a store, they’ll be pumping gas. They’re working wherever they can find a job. Maybe it’s not the same wage, but it’s work.” The District of Fort St. James has declared a state of financial crisis in order to help community members access federal and provincial help they need to ride the tide.

Today, the Truck Loggers Association’s Board of Directors announced the resignation of their Executive Director, David Elstone, effective February 15, 2020. Since 2015, David has been a relentless champion for the TLA’s timber harvesting contractor membership and the forest industry as a whole. As the Association’s representative, David has fostered many relationships with all levels of government, as well as other associations, boards, and influencers connected with the forest industry. His knowledge and understanding of Forestry issues have been invaluable to the Association. “Under David’s watch, the TLA’s membership has grown, committees have been strong, and messaging has been front and centre,” said Bill Nelson, Vice President, TLA Board of Directors. …The TLA Board of Directors and Executive are grateful for David’s work, guidance, and passionate advocacy for the membership, thank him for all of his hard work and wish him the very best in his future endeavours.