Members of the Forestry Sector Council Executive Committee and Unifor leadership met in the Unifor National Office March 27–29 to share bargaining updates and discuss the state of the industry.
On March 11, Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier addressed more than 150 leaders gathered at the Forestry Communities Forum organized by the “Fédération québécoise des municipalités” (FQM), bringing forward the voice of the workers who sustain the forestry sector in every region of Quebec.
At a time marked by mill closures, layoffs and growing uncertainty, he stressed the need for a decisive shift toward higher value-added production and highlighted the importance of developing the Canadian domestic market to help offset the loss of access to the U.S. market.
MONTREAL— Unifor delegates from across Eastern Canada kicked off bargaining preparations for the forestry industry by selecting Domtar as the target company for the upcoming round of pattern bargaining.
THUNDER BAY-Unifor is urging Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper to take every measure to mitigate job loss following the company’s announcement that it will cease newsprint operations by the end of the first quarter, potentially impacting more than a hundred jobs.
Unifor National President Lana Payne brought the concerns of Unifor forestry sector members to the inaugural meeting of the federal government’s new Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force, held January 19 in Vancouver.
Unifor is calling on the Quebec and federal governments to take immediate action to prevent irreversible damage to the F.F. Soucy mill and preserve any chance of a future restart.
RIVIÈRE-DU-LOUP — Following the bankruptcy of F.F. Soucy, Unifor is urging both levels of government to intervene without delay to ensure the mill remains heated and powered, and that skilled workers are retained to safely operate and maintain critical equipment.
HALIFAX—Unifor members at the now-shuttered Northern Pulp mill in Pictou, Nova Scotia, will see their pension fund made whole and fully wound up as the company’s woodland assets secures a buyer at auction for $235 million.
This amount is enough to repay the $37 million owed to Unifor Local 440 members’ defined benefit pension plan.
Unifor Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray, Atlantic Area Director Mike MacMullin and Forestry Director Ian Hutchison met with several representatives from the New Brunswick government to discuss supporting good jobs in the province and the need to avoid future layoffs due to escalating energy costs.
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