Two of the country’s largest pulp and paper unions, Unifor and the Public and Private Workers of Canada, have reached a tentative deal with Canfor Pulp workers in Prince George.
The agreement covers 900 members at Unifor Local 603 and 1133 and PPWC Local 9 in Prince George and sets a patterns for for 5,500 members from 13 Unifor and five PPWC local unions in B.C. and Alberta, the unions said in a joint statement issued Saturday.
The unions said details will not be released until presented to members at ratification meetings but did say it is a four-year deal that includes wage increases, benefit improvements and provides workers with no concessions from their current agreement.
“This deal establishes a strong pattern agreement for forestry workers in Western Canada, giving some additional security in what has been a tumultuous few years,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “This deal should provide some certainty to employers as we work to navigate fibre access and other issues facing the forestry sector across the region.”
Unifor and PPWC agreed to work together in April.
“We are happy with this effort and believe this deal sets a positive and fair path forward for pulp and paper workers,” said Gary Fiege, PPWC President.
