Canfor Pulp CEO Steps Down

Canfor Pulp has announced a management change as the company streamlines management with Canfor.

Canfor Pulp President and CEO Joe Nemeth will be stepping down from that role at the end of September and will offer support to the transition to that date.

In the wake of Nemeth's decision, Canfor's Board of Directors has appointed Canfor President and CEO Don Kayne to the role of CEO for both companies. Brett Robinson, the former Executive Vice President Operations, will move into the role as President of the company.

Western Forest Products Appoints New President

Don Demens, who grew up in Nanaimo, has been appointed as the new president of Western Forest Products.

Demens represents the third generation of foresters in his family, which also has roots in Port Alberni, and has over 25 years of coastal forest industry experience. He replaces Stephen Frasher, who has been president of WFP for three years.

Local 1-405 Members Poised To Go On Strike

Unionized employees at Heritage Credit Union in Slocan Park and Castlegar (BC) are poised to issue 72-hour strike notice after turning down the employer's final offer last month.

United Steelworkers Local 1-405 president Doug Singer said since bargaining began in May, the biggest stumbling block has been changes to the pension plan in 2010. He said it was "identified by the membership as the number one issue on the bargaining table from day one."

The union has called upon a provincial mediator to help the parties reach a deal, but the issues couldn't be resolved, Singer said. He added their bargaining committee will meet with workers one more time before issuing strike notice.

The union represents 35 employees at Heritage Credit Union and HG Insurance who have been without a contract since May 31.