Issues between Conifer Mills and the union representing their Prince George employees (among others) over a new agreement have ground negotiations to a halt, leaving the sawmill at a standstill today (Oct. 25).
The United Steelworkers-Wood Council chairperson Bob Matters tells PrinceGeorgeMatters there is no movement in talks.
"The issues are over a whole collective agreement," he says. "Wages is one of the components as well as benefits and working conditions, obviously."
Matters says there are currently no negotiations scheduled with Conifer.
The current action in Prince George comes after rotating strikes began on Oct. 17, with the first being Tolko Lakeview in Williams Lake. At that time, all other Conifer operations were under an overtime ban.
The strike action only involves Conifer Mills.
United Steelworkers 1-2017 represents 5,200 members in forestry, value-added, mining, construction, electrical, trucking, automotive, energy, healthcare and landfill sites, according to the union's website.
Rod Park, second vice-president of United Steelworkers 1-201, tells PrinceGeorgeMatters that almost 200 workers have gone on strike today between the Prince George sawmill and the Prince George chip plant. He adds they want to see the company remove concessions of the bargaining table and resume bargaining.
PrinceGeorgeMatters has also reached out to Conifer representatives and will update this story when we hear back.
