United Steelworkers members in Prince George hope a 97% vote to strike will spur Canfor (TSX:CFP) to meet their demands for wage increases.
"We had a couple of [wage] increases in the past couple of years, but before that we had a couple of years with zeros," Bob Matters, wood council chair for the United Steelworkers, told Business in Vancouver.
"Not to mention that between 2006 and 2010 a whole pile of our members lost their employment altogether and a whole bunch of them only worked part time."
Members of local 1-242 in Prince George took the strike vote on September 12 and 13. The union is currently negotiating a collective agreement for 1,500 members who work at Canfor operations in the Interior, who have been without a contract since June. Pension funding and wage increases are the main items under discussion.
Union negotiators will meet with Canfor again tomorrow (Tuesday, September 17).
"It's my hope that with them understanding that the membership have overwhelmingly endorsed our position, that that will lead to Canfor working with us to conclude an agreement," Matters said.
Whatever settlement the union and Canfor reach will also form the template for an agreement with West Fraser Timber (TSX:WFT), according to the union.
Canfor so far has offered a lump sum payment instead of wage increases. Union representatives say forestry risks becoming uncompetitive with other industries if pay rates do not rise.
Canfor did not respond to BIV's request for comment.
