> Fighting against contractors
Local 1-363 president Rick Wangler
reports that TimberWest has brought
in contractors to replace jobs that are
done by unionized contractors work-
ing for Oyster River Logging. The
local is arguing that a
woodlands letter with
the company provides
that all union mem-
bers must work a tra-
ditional work year,
which means year
around logging. The
Oyster River crew works on
TimberWest’s private land claims
from the Comox Valley to Campbell
River and beyond. In other news, pro-
fessional foresters and forestry engi-
neer who had their jobs contracted
out in the Oyster River and Johnstone
ions are still battling
More contracting
out Local 1-363 also has several con-
tracting out issues to solve with
Western Forest Products. Many stem
from the company’s predecessors
Cascadia Forest Products and
Weyerhaeuser. Wangler says the local
has seen progress on small items but
that big ticket contracting out griev-
ances remain to be resolved.
Balloting for a dues change
Local 1-3567 has been balloting the
membership for a change in its union
dues formula. Whereas the local has
an assortment of formulas, it is
requesting a change to a formula
which is 1.5 per cent of total earnings
plus 2 cents per hour into the USW
International Organizing Fund. The
change would bring the local into line
with other USW locals across North

Rick Wangler

NIEI WIS) TRIRIONMSBIRUMISIH Clo LU MiB

America. [> Tolko Truckers
Williams Lake Local 1-425 has suc-
cessfully merged three Tolko trucking
groups into one, resolving issues of
seniority, dispatching, buying and
selling of positions, and bumping,
etc. Two-thirds of truckers will get a
increase in their fuel clause as a
result. Flex Shifts coming
Local 1-425 has been approached by
both Tolko Creekside and Parallel
Lumber, in Williams Lake, to go to
alternate shifts and flex schedules.
Creekside is looking at 4 x 10 plus 3 x
12. The local has some concerns.
Tolko has cancelled alternate shifts
for millwrights and electricians. The
move is being questioned by the local.
At Parallel the company wants four
crews working 3 x 12 hours shifts,
with production incentives, which are
being further explored. Meanwhile at
Soda Creek the union is trying to
make improvements to the Y2C shift
[> Negotiations with Excel
Trucking Local 1-424 and Local 1-
2171 are in joint negotiations with
Excel Trucking out of Terrace and
Smithers. Rod Park is representing 1-
424 while Rick Neuwirth is represent-
ing 1-2171. The contract, covering over
130 truckers, expired on October 31,
2006. [> Agreement at IDF
plant Local 1-424’s Brian Croy also
led negotiations at the NewPro plant
in Smithers, where MDF (Medium
Density Fibreboard) is produced by
about 40 workers. The crew got a
$1,250 bonus in year one with per-
centage increases of 2, 2, 2, and rin
the rest. The union also negotiated
improved health and welfare benefits.
[> Coast Mountain Chev Olds In

Smithers Local 1-424 ratified a three-
year agreement with increases in the
second and third year. Local officer
Brian Croy led talks. [> Pension
plan owed Local 1-2171 members

are owed some $160,000 in pension
plan payments after creditors have
auctioned off pieces of the Terrace
Lumber Company sawmill (former
Skeena Cellulose). In addition, sever-
ance pay and vacation pay are owed,
says local union president Darrel
Wong. [> QCI crew back Local 1-
2171 reports that Olympic Logging is
operating out of Sandspit, Queen
Charlotte Islands, with the former JS
Jones crew. About 50 are back to
work. Local president Darrel Wong
says the membership could see
major impacts resulting from the
ongoing land-use negotiations
between the BC government and the
Haida First Nations. Meanwhile
Edwards and Associates claims to
have some 400,000 cubic meters of
AAC, while logging conditions remain
sporadic on the Islands. [>
Mainland building new facility As
a result of land expropriated by the
RAV light rapid transit line, and sub-
sequent compensation, Mainland
Sawmills is building a new planing
facility on Mitchell Island. That could
double jobs to 65. [> Agreement
at SRI Local 1-423 reports that just
under 70 per cent of workers at the
SRI Homes plant in Winfield ratified
a three-year agreement on November
30 after striking since November 2.
Included are a $1.50 an hour increase
and increased benefits for new hires
and increases of over 50 cents an
hour in subsequent years.

8 T DECEMBER 2006 THE ALLIED WORKER