Forestry

KAMLOOPS, B.C.—Unifor Local 10-B members at Kruger in Kamloops, B.C., ratified a new four-year collective agreement with 91% approval that will set the pattern for negotiations across the Western Pulp and Paper Caucus.

TORONTO—A new executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump to launch a s. 232 (National Security) investigation into wood products imported into the United States is a direct threat to Canadian softwood lumber and downstream wood products, placing thousands of jobs across Canada at risk.

SAINT JOHN–Unifor is disappointed and frustrated by Irving Paper’s communication that 104 members will be laid off in 45 days, with the union committing to fight to prevent job losses.

“My thoughts right now are with the families who are digesting this news tonight and are feeling uncertain about their futures,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Unifor will continue pushing for a smart industrial strategy for forestry that supports these good jobs across New Brunswick and prepares the sector for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

ST. JOHN’S—Unifor participated in Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey’s trade roundtable’s most recent meeting today, calling for swift action to protect workers, particularly in the province’s trade-exposed sectors like oil and gas, forestry and the fishery.

VANCOUVER—Two of the country’s largest pulp and paper unions, Unifor and the Public and Private Workers of Canada (PPWC), have selected Kruger, Inc. in Kamloops, B.C. as the target to establish pattern bargaining across the forestry sector in Western Canada.

Members of Local 434 at Maibec CanExel, who manufacture wood siding products at their sawmill in East River, Nova Scotia, ratified an agreement by 89% securing sick days for the first time in addition to wage increases and other improvements.

“The Local 434 bargaining committee did a great job and achieved strong gains for Maibec workers,” said National President Lana Payne. “Congratulations to the committee and members on this new agreement.”

September 23, 2024 - VANCOUVER—Leaders from Unifor, the United Steelworkers (USW), and the Public and Private Workers of Canada (PPWC) met last week with representatives from Iskum Investments (Iskum) to discuss deeper collaboration to bring about changes to an unpredictable forestry industry that could create sustainable and stable forestry jobs an

VANCOUVER—British Columbia's forestry workers will take part in the Union of B.C. Municipalities conference as part of a campaign to strengthen and secure good paying jobs in the industry.

“Dozens of local governments across the province are experiencing the difficulties of the forestry industry’s contraction,” said Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle. “We invite municipal leadership to be a part of the solution.”

On May 30, Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle joined Local 10-B President Sheldon Morice and 1st Vice President Wes Mitchell for a tour of the Kruger pulp mill in Kamloops, B.C.

While in Kamloops, McGarrigle and Unifor leaders met with Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson, City Councillor Katie Neustaeter, and Kruger management to discuss the mill’s struggles with a regular economic access to fibre with which to run the mill. Kruger’s facility is not alone in its fibre supply troubles: