Unionized workers at the idled Springer Creek Forest Products sawmill in Slocan have agreed to a settlement in lieu of severance in the hope the mill may restart.
Members of the United Steelworkers Union, local 1-405, voted in favour of a 75% reduced settlement in lieu of a full payout of severance, according to a union press release.
As part of the negotiations, Interfor has offered to buy Springer Creek’s wood basket, which could keep eight to 10 employees working.
The mill was shut down in the summer of 2011, restarted, and shut down again. The company still isn’t sure if the mill will ever restart.
However, The Nelson Star cites a union spokesperson who said the company does intend to restart the mill, which once employed up to 65 people.
