[> Compwood Closes Local 1-417
is sad to report that the Tolko-owned
Compwood value-added plant in
Heffley Creek permanently closed
down in late September/early
October. About 45 workers accepted
a severance package in lead with the
Southern Interior Master
Agreement. The company said that
lack of markets and transportation
costs were factors in the closure, [>
Local mills get Bug-kill Wood
Kamloops Local 1-417 president Joe
Davies says that several local union
sawmills are cur-
rently receiving
timber infested by
the pine beetle.
They are: Tolko
Merritt; Aspen
Planers in
Merritt;

Weyco Kamloops Weyerhaeuser in

cuts beetle wood Kamloops, Canfor
Vavenby; and West Fraser in Chasm.
He added that the Merritt area
expects to increases in bug-kill cut
over the next five years. [> A
Strike Vote is Brewing Local 1-
417 president Joe Davies reports that

negotiators for
am, Spayum

Developments,
which owns the

& a Days Inn Hotel and
Pub in Merritt, are
Joe Davies “dragging their
feet” at the bargaining table during
first contract negotiations for work-
ers organized this summer (see page
14). A strike vote could soon be in
the works to get the employer's
attention. [> Layoffs at Mars
Industries Local 1-85 president

NEWS FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA

Monty Mearns reports that contract
logger Mars Industries wrapped up
operations for the year by mid-
November. The Port Alberni-based
crew, which used to have 50-Go
members, has seen its work year
slashed by the government’s 20 per
cent takeback. [> Hayes’ Cut to
Drop Port Alberni local president
Monty Mearns also says that Hayes
Forest Services’ cut in TFL 44 will be
dropped to about 700,000 cubic
meters next year from about
900,000 this year. The contractor
has caught up with past undercut.
Last year it harvested 1.2 million
cubic meters. Brother Mearns adds
that Hayes has become a “problemat-
ic” employer, fighting the union on
many grievances and arbitrations.
Hayes also won't recognize averag-
ing. Workers, for example, are seeing
major reductions in their work year.
One log truck driver claims he’s mak-
ing over $30,000 less this year than
last year. [> Nine Day Lockout
Ends Local 1-424 members were
locked out for nine days in early to
mid-September at the Prince George
Motors Ford dealership. A three-year
collective agreement was reached for
the crew of 40 workers (technicians
and others) with wage and benefit
increases of between 3 and 13.2 per
cent. Rod Park led talks for the
union, While the lock out occured,
the union put contract talks with
‘Wood Wheaton Chev-Olds on hold.
After the contract with PG Motors
was reached, then a “me too” agree-
ment was voted on by about 30
workers at Wood Wheaton, also in
Prince George. [> Negotiations
Underway at LP Local 1-424’s Rod

Park is also heading up a negotiating
team at the Louisiana Pacfic oriented
strandboard operation in Dawson
Creek, B.C. The
contract covering
about 130 union
members expires
on December 31,
2005. Bargaining
priorities are
focussing on wages
and benefits. Brother Park says the
company appears to “have no
appetite” for a showdown with the
union. Three years ago the union
struck the company for a collective
agreement. Plant chair Dan
Cameron says the plant has a low
cost structure and is adding specialty
lines, with longer term contracts.
“This company dominates the OSB
market,” he says. “They can afford to
pay higher wages.” [> Striking for
a First Contract Local 1-3567 busi-
ness agent Manjit Sidhu says that an

Rod Park

employer's
demand for
a $2.00 an
hour roll-
back has
provoked a
strike at
Seen the line at Chasyn Chasyn
are (I. to r.) Norm and Canadien
Dave Sterner, Donny
OCampo and sons. Forest
Products in
Maple Ridge. The workers, former
members of the Christian Labour

Association of Canada, hit the bricks
on October 17. After negotiations
began in August, the employer laid
some of the crew off. Brother Sidhu
says the picketing workers are united
in their actions.

8 T DECEMBER 2005 THE ALLIED WORKER