®@

Forest Products mill and reman
operations in the Albernis saw
many layoffs. Since then workers
have been trickling back. Local 1-85
president Monty Mearns says that
Coulson lacks long-term contracts
with Cascadia Forest Products and
Interfor. [> Multiple Grievances
Filed Williams Lake Local 1-425 is
knee-deep in grievances at Mt. Polley
Mines. In late October the local had 11
grievances filed, some of them group
grievances. Issues include start/stop
times. The union is arguing that work-
ers must get paid from their dispatch
point when assigned to equipment.
Another issue is the underpayment of
a group of mill floor operators. The
company went sideways on an agree-
ment reached with the local to solve the
issue. Local vice president Mitch Van
Dale represents over 200 workers at
the mining and smelting operations.
(> Apprentices on the Rise Local
1-425 president Bill Derbyshire says
steady work by plant committees has
ensured that West Fraser (100 Mile
House and Williams Lake) and Tolko
(Soda Creek,
Lakeview and
Creekside - the latter
mills both in town)
have put on addition-
al apprentices. “These
companies are realiz-
ing they just can't get skilled trades like
millwrights and electricians off the
street. There is a lot of competition with
the mining industry and the impor-
tance of good apprenticeship programs
are very apparent.” |> Posting
Agreement at West Fraser Local
1-425 also reports that a posting agree-
ment at both the West Fraser 100 Mile

Bill Derbyshire

®e

House sawmill and Williams Lake ply-
wood plant was narrowly approved in a
vote. Local president Bill Derbyshire
says the local anticipates further shift-
ing arrangements under the new agree-
ment. Arrow Lakes Truckers
Local 1-405 is representing the Arrow
Lakes Truckers Association, as about 30
owner/operators seek a hauling agree-
ment with Pope and Talbot in the West
Kootenays. Local president Bob Matters,
who is heading up negotiations which
began in early November, notes that
several of the association’s members,
were former IWA members who had
their jobs contracted out in the early
1980s. “These workers now need pro-
tections in their hauling agreements

= Truckers in the B.C. southern interior
are getting support from the union at the
bargaining table. proto nonMAN GARCIA

with this company.” [> Local sued
for Honouring BCTF Pickets
Local 1-405 has been sued for not cross-
ing BCTF picket lines at mill sites dur-
ing the teachers’ association's strike.
Both Tembec (Elko and Canal Flats)
and Canfor (Radium) have taken legal
action against the Steelworkers for

= Marriott hotel workers joined the
union in Kimberley. courtesy steve BORO

events taking place on October 18.
“Our members respected the teachers’
picket lines during the rotating job
actions,” says local president Bob
Matters. > Contract reached at
Hotel Local 1-405 also reports that
contract talks have taken place at the
Marriott Trickle Creek Residence Inn in
Kimberley — a bargaining unit that was
organized this summer (see story on
page 14). Local financial-secretary Doug
Singer, who is heading the negotiating
team, says the crew will vote on a tenta-
tive three-year collective agreement on
December 6. [>> Hangover from
Weyco Days Local 1-80 president Bill
Routley says the union is working with
the crew at Island Timberlands (owned
by Brascan) to resolve numerous griev-
ances which are from when
Weyerhaeuser ran the private lands log-
ging show. Many in a long list of griev-
ances, are heading for arbitration. [>
Taking Away the Weekend
Brother Routley says the Western
Forest Products is forcing alternate shift
at its mills, including Duke Point, near
Nanaimo and the Cowichan Bay
Division. “The company is taking away
the weekend under the binding con-
tract that Don Munroe handed down

last year,” he says.

THE ALLIED WORKER DECEMBER 2005 | 7