Port Alberni, British Columbia –TFL 44 Limited Partnership (“TFL 44”) is pleased to announce that the United Steelworkers (“USW”) members have ratified new contracts with TFL 44 contractors and that TFL 44 has initiated plans to return to work.
“We are excited to get people back to work,” said Robert J. Dennis Sr., TFL 44 Board Member and Chief Councillor of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations. “We formed a partnership last year with Western Forest Products to advance our shared vision of forestry revitalization and reconciliation. Our focus has been to collaborate with all stakeholders to manage the forest resource to provide good paying, sustainable jobs while respecting sound environmental practices. This ratification will allow us to make meaningful progress towards that vision.”
The strike by approximately 100 USW members was against three contractors: Island Forest Company, Big Lake Logging and Mount Sicker Timber. The agreement contains provisions that address particular concerns to workers in TFL 44 and generally mirrors the one signed by USW Local 1-1937 members in February 2020.
“We are glad this strike is behind us so we can turn the page and move forward together,” said Shannon Janzen, TFL 44 Board Member. “We are in a time of unprecedented global uncertainty and moving past labour disputes is critical to increasing stability for the forest sector. This includes TFL 44’s ability to provide fibre to the local Alberni Pacific Division sawmill.”
For further information, please contact:
TFL 44 LP
Amanda Munro
Munro Thompson Communications Inc.
(604) 360-3994