XML FeedsTalks break down in Pine Falls after just one day
Nov 6, 2009 | In Labour Negotiations | 4 feedbacks »
Talks between Tembec and the United Steelworkers Union regarding the 260 locked out workers at the Pine Falls, Manitoba mill broke down after just 1 day.
"We were scheduled to meet in the city last week on Monday and Tuesday, but the talks were over the first day as the company refused to move on any of the big ticket items, and only moved on zero cost or fluff items that probably never or seldom happen," said Cam Sokoloski, president of United Steelworkers Local 3-1375.
The province of Manitoba recently appointed a mediator to try and bring an end to the labour dispute, which began Sept. 1 after Tembec locked out the unionized employees.
Sokoloski said the union is now waiting for the mediator's report.
"We told the mediator that we are not going to waste any more money given the fact Tembec has not moved on the big ticket items," Sokoloski said. He added that Tembec only moved on 18 of the 51 items at issue, and nine of these were of no cost to the company.
Concessions the company is asking for — which add up to 35 per cent of the union's compensation package — include cuts to wages and the employee benefits package.
There is significant concern that the mill will not be heated this winter. At this time, Tembec is not allowing any workers into the steam plant to operate the heat.
Source:
Tembec talks break down (Lac du Bonnet Leader)
4 comments
Chetywnd pulp mill contract expires end of December 2009. What are the odds the company will ask for a 10% wage concession?
Way to go Abi/Blow.
Drive the price down while your protected (c.c.a.a.) and kill a small town in another province. Ashamed to even mention the fact that I worked for you "Monsters"
Perhap the Fontain's could acquire Tembec with the recent windfall. Help the town out, leave a legacy and company to the children. If anyone could do it this would be the family. Good luck PineFalls. I have been reading of your hardships and feel for ya. That's the reason I came to escape poverty in the forestry industry. Sad thing is I am seeing it here and it does not need to be that way. Cheap hydro, tons of fibre. Way to go Abbi/Blow.
Hope all the bigshots are proud at Abbi/Blow.
Should all be in prison.
Here's a pulp and paper mill with dedicated employees at the union level that take pride in what they have. But shamefully there are the managers here locally and out east that only know how to ruin a good thing.
The location of this mill was a blessing for many years gone by to a lot of good workers that took pride in their jobs and community. Sadly now it's beginning to fade away.
How these managing idiots can sleep at night is a marvel.
The greed is at an all time high, the stupidity.... if we could only make money on the stupidity alone off of these idiots we'd be very rich, filthy rich.
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