quote:
Thousands of unionized loggers, truck drivers and sawmill workers have gone on strike in British Columbia, a move that is expected to bring the province's $2-billion coastal forestry industry to a near standstill.The strike officially began at 12:01 a.m. PT on Saturday, affecting operations at Island Timberlands and 31 member companies of the umbrella group Forest Industrial Relations. The member companies include West Fraser Mills Ltd. and Western Forest Products Inc.
About 6,000 workers walked off the job early Saturday. Employees at Interfor (International Forest Products), which has three sawmills in the Lower Mainland, were expected to join the strike later in the day.
The United Steelworkers said no talks have been scheduled with Forest Industrial Relations.
The main issues in the dispute are hours of work and contracting out, the union says. For the last three years, loggers have complained of ever-changing work rotations, including one lasting 10 days with only one day off.
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posted 21 July 2007 10:07 AM
