Photo reprinited with permission of the Miramichi Leader/Weekend

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¢ Firefighters and workers watch the early stages of the fire before the entire Nelson Forest Products plywood.

mill was swept by a raging inferno .

Massive fire destroys N.B. plywood mill

riday the 13th of July could not have
been an unluckier day for 145 1.W.A.
Local 306 members employed at the
Nelson Forest Products plywood mill
in Miramichi, New Brunswick.

L
a
On that fateful day their workplace went up in
flames in a horrific fire which razed the operation
to the ground.

Very fortunately no one was seriously injured.
All workers on shift evacuated the mill on time
and some firefighters were treated for heat
exhaustion and smoke inhalation.

First on the scene was the fire department
from Miramichi and some local volunteer
firefighters. They were joined by water bombers
and helicopters and firefighters from outlying
areas including Renous, Niguac, Sunny Corner
and Rogersville, which sent in tanker trucks.

The entire mill structure save for some steam
ponds and the debarker, was destroyed. The
accidental fire began after 11 a.m. and 12 hours
later they were still putting out smolders.

Aerial water bombardment, which caused one
local resident to comment to the media that “it
was like Pear Harbour,” played a major factor in
preventing the fire from igniting a propane tank
in a heat plant and cooling down the section
were resin tanks are located, thereby preventing
further disaster.

The I.W.A. membership at the mill has been

the heart, soul and focal point of Local 306 since
1963, when the union got its first certification in

the province. The mill was then owned by the
local Burchill Brothers.

“It has been an absolutely devastating
experience for our members,” said Local 306
president Pat Hogan, who comes from the mill.
“It is causing a lot of hard times for workers and
their families.”

“We're all relieved and glad the membership
and everybody else was able to get out safe and
sound and nobody was hurt,” said Hogan. “A bit
of animal instinct kicked in and our guys got out
of the mill fast. They saw it was not a fire they
could contend with.”

Within two hours the mill was totally consumed.

At a time when the I.W.A. is having organizing
success in the province and is building on its
foundation in Miramichi and elsewhere, the fire
is seen as a setback.

National fifth vice president Wilf McIntyre,
who has overseen the building of the local union
over the past couple of years says the membership
was shocked by events but is ready to hold tight
and work with the employer, local businessman
Robbie Tozer, to get the mill rebuilt and back in
operation again.

“I guess we have to look at it as if we have
made several steps forward, but have had one
step backward because of this fire,” said Brother
McIntyre. “The I.W.A.’s activities in New

Photo courtesy I.W.A. Local 306

Brunswick are really starting to gel and things
are going in the right direction.”

McIntyre says the crew and the local union
have spoken to Mr. Tozer and have stated that
the current collective agreement must stay in
place — frozen until a time that the facility is
rebuilt and a new collective agreement can be
negotiated.

The union was in negotiations with the company
at the time of the fire, the collective agreement ©
having come up for renewal after March 81,

“A bit of animal instinct
kicked in and our guys got
our of the mill fast. They
saw it was a fire they could
not contend with.”

- Pat Hogan, President,
I.W.A. Local 306

2001. On July 10 the New Brunswick Labour
Relations Board rendered a “No Board” decision,
following weeks of mediation between the two
sides, as the union approached a legal strike
situation.

“The number one job for us to concentrate on
now, as far as Nelson Forest Products is
concerned, is to see that the mill is rebuilt and
help where we can and ensure that the inte
of the I.W.A. collective agreement is upheld and
continues,” says McIntyre.

Brother Hogan says nearly all the I.W.A.
members from the operation filed a mass El.
claim on July 23, to assist in cutting down on
bureaucracy and getting the report cards and
employment. insurance flowing as soon as possible.

It is going to be really difficult for a lot of
people. Many have mortgages to carry and some
bought new vehicles not long ago,” he said. “The
effects are real and sudden. There is a lot of
concern about what will happen in the future.”

McIntyre says the mem! ership is optimistic
that once insurance claims are settled, Mr. Tozer
et be able to build a new and more efficient
mill.

“We know that Nelson Forest Products was a
money-maker and that any new mill that comes

continued on page eleven

0/LUMBERWORKER/SEPTEMBER, 2001