About 7,000 union workers have staged a walkout in British Columbia’s coastal foresty industry.
The industrial action followed a breakdown in talks between United Steelworkers (USW), the union representing loggers in western Canada, and forestry companies.
USW had recently served strike notices against Forest Industrial Relations, the organisation which represents 31 companies in British Columbia that collectively employ 4,500 people, and TimberWest and Island Timberlands.
“The industry is badly fragmented and is unable to reach common ground with our union on the fundamental issues affecting our members,” said Steve Hunt, USW western Canada director.
Contracts talks started in March, with the aim of addressing lumber workers’ concerns about shift scheduling, contracting out and severance pay in the sector.
