Share
In a series of local meetings held in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Abitibi and on the North Coast in recent weeks, unifor members voted more than 90 per cent in favour of a strike if necessary at Resolute Forest Products, and in support of efforts to pressure the company, in a lead up to a strike.
“Our members face an unusual situation – negotiations are at an impasse because of government inaction,” said Renaud Gagné, assistant to the Unifor Quebec Director.
Conditions for forestry workers have been worsening since April 2013 when gaps in legislation prevented the union from being recognized as the official bargaining agent of the workers employed in newly created jobs in nearby locations. Unifor has repeatedly asserted that a legal vacuum is depriving workers of the protection of a collective agreement in some areas.
The previous Parti Quebecois government publicly committed to resolving the issue a year ago. In December 2012, a parliamentary committee looked into the issue, with parties agreeing that action must be taken. The Liberal government, elected in April of this year, has so far failed to realize any commitments to addressing this ongoing problem.
The union recently presented its concerns about labour rights within the forestry sector at a meeting with Minister of Forest, Wildlife and Parks Laurent Lesard.
“We are now relying on him to act and implement the necessary measures. For our members, the situation is unfair and unacceptable. We shouldn’t forget that it was the government who created this legal vacuum – it is now their responsibility to repair the damage it has created. In the meantime, employers, like Resolute, are taking full advantage,” said Gagné.
