Stan McMaster, President
** New Link for Job Searching Under "Links" **
** New Link Regarding Negotiations Under "Links" **
NOTICE TO MEMBERS
The USW negotiating committee met with West Fraser January 25th through January 28th. After very little discussion, West Fraser gave the USW a "Final Offer" package on a "take it all or leave it all" basis. The USW Negotiating Committee "left it" and presented West Fraser with a proposal that addressed some of West Fraser's issues. The USW Committee also told West Fraser at that time that they were prepared to continue bargaining with them but West Fraser declined to continue meeting at this time. So the USW began bargaining with CANFOR on February 2nd and both sides felt that there was enough progress made that they agreed to meet in Prince George on Monday, February 8th. You can get all the negotiating information by going to the "DealwithSteel" web site. You can get there by going to "Links" and "clicking" on the appropriate link.
Forestry Members - BlueNet Card - There is a link to the S.I. Health & Welfare Plan under "Links", and more information on this topic under the heading "News".
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Tembec Forest Products has indicated to the employees that they will continue run but that they will monitor markets and costs and further adjust operating rates as required. At this time, there are no operating shut-downs planned for the future. The Cranbrook Finger Joint plant and planer will remain closed indefinitely.
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Springer Creek Forest Products in Slocan are now shut down indefinitely. Shipping of lumber will continue until the lumber inventory has been depleted.
The Radium Division of CANFOR is shut down indefinitely.
There is still no indication from International Forest Products (Interfor) in Castlegar that they are interested in restarting the Castlegar plant. Interfor keeps telling the Local Union that they will start the plant when it makes "economical sense to restart it".
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USW Local 1-405 and Nelson and District have been in negotiations for quite a period of time with no progress for the last several months. As a result, a strike vote was taken with the membership voting 98% in favour of strike action if necessary. Mediation was applied for and the B.C. Labour Relations Board has appointed a mediator and mediated talks began on January 7, 2010 and are continuing.
USW Local 1-405 had been in negotiations for a lengthy period of time with Heritage Credit Union and HG Insurance in Castlegar. Negotiations reached an impasse and a strike vote was conducted with the Union receiving a 95% vote at Heritage Credit Union and 100% at HG Insurance. Mediation was applied for and the Parties met with a mediator on December 15, 16 and 17, 2009. After three days of hard bargaining, with the Mediator's help, Agreements were reached and all Parties ratified the Memorandum of Agreement.
Lumber Prices - Average lumber prices for the standard of 2x4, #2 & Better - Kiln Dried are as follows:
The average price for - Jan. 01 to Jan. 08, 2010 - $218.00 per thousand board feet
- Jan. 09 to Jan. 15, 2010 - $236.00 per thousand board feet
- Jan. 16 to Jan. 22, 2010 - $250.00 per thousand board feet
- Jan. 23 to Jan. 29, 2010 - $252.00 per thousand board feet
- Jan. 30 to Feb. 05, 2010 - $290.00 per thousand board feet
The price of lumber has climbed a bit and the Canadian dollar is holding around .93/.94 cents, both of which will help Industry a bit. However, all predictions are is that the lumber price increases are a short term "blip".
United We Stand, Divided We Fall.
Remember, You Are The "Union".
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