United Steelworkers Local 1-2017 continues the ratification process after having struck a tentative agreement with CONIFER last month in Prince George.
“Under the system with the CONIFER group of companies each plant votes and either accepts or rejects based on their own membership feelings there,” said USW 1-2017 President, Brian O’Rourke.
“We have had a number of ratifications throughout the CONIFER companies and we still have a few more left to go.”
O’Rourke said at this point the Hampton group which is Babine and Burns Lake as well as Canfor Isle Pierre, Dunkley Lumber, Conifex in Fort St. James, Tolko Soda Creek in Williams Lake, Tolko Quest Wood in Quesnel, and Canfor chip plant in Prince George have all ratified their agreement.
“When we have an operation that doesn’t ratify then the bargaining committee will go back and meet with the employer and meet with the crews and see what their issues are around not ratifying, and we’ll take one step at a time from there,” he said.
Roughly 1,500 members representing 13 companies took part in the ratification process that started Friday, Feb. 22.
“We have had a couple of rejections at smaller operations but the ones I just put out to you there have all accepted and ratified their agreement,” O’Rourke said.
“It’s been a process and obviously Local 1-2017 is recommending acceptance, and we’re hoping we can get this passed and move on with life.”
Something going on in the Cariboo you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
