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BC Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair (front) declared a Hot Declaration against handling struck lumber, logs and wood products. Left is USW District 3 Director and right is the ILWU's Tom Dufresne and the CEP's Don Boucher. Photos by Norman Garcia

SURREY, BC – Flanked by United Steelworkers District 3 Director Steve Hunt and leaders of other major unions in the province, today BC Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair announced a “Hot Declaration” against all coastal lumber, logs and wood products emanating from unionized logging and sawmilling operations while forest workers are on strike.

The declaration was made at a press conference in front of Interfor’s Acorn sawmill division, with striking Local 1-3567 members and supporters present.

Last Friday at midnight, the United Steelworkers struck FIR-client company and “me-too” operations, along with Island Timberlands operations. The following day, Interfor was struck.

Joining Sinclair and Hunt were ILWU Canadian President Tom Dufresne, Canadian Merchant Service Guild Secretary-Treasurer Arnold Vingsnes, PSAC Area Representative Gary Fraser, CEP Vice President Don Boucher, and PPWC President Jim King.

All the major unions stand in support of the Steelworkers and will assist when and where they are able: ILWU members load ships: PSAC members inspect oceon-going vessels,  Canadian Merchant Service Guild members run the tugs; while CEP and PPWC members work in pulp and paper and a couple of lumber mills on the coast.

Sinclair noted that the “Hot Declaration” is a rare occurrence, sparked by growing reports that companies in BC are looking at ways of shipping out wood from struck plants, booms and operations.

One report came from a tug boat operator who was encouraged to take wood from a struck plant.

District 3 Director Steve Hunt said the strike is about restoring balance in the workplace.

Sinclair sent a message to struck companies that their logs and wood would remain “Hot” until collective agreements are reached which are acceptable to workers.

Hunt said that the union is striking to restore balance in the workplace.

“With the support of the labour movement in British Columbia I know we are going to win this fight,” he said.

Hunt said the BC provincial government threw the industry out of balance in 2004 with an imposed collective agreement. He noted that the Campbell government delivered legislative changes the industry wanted in exchange for promised investment and security for workers and communities.

Since then employers have delivered jobs losses and shutdowns. Since 2001 there have been 42 mill closures in across the province.

Hunt said that although Western Forest Products New West lumber mill was clearing  $1-million per month, union members were “rewarded” with permanent job loss.

The Steelworkers Director said the struggle is about standing up for communities, the province and the industry.

Hunt noted that 43 forest workers died in 2005 because “our government thought it was nice to deregulate and let industry run itself.”

He added that the USW is the “glue that keeps holding this industry together” – an industry that would dissolve into “nothing other than log exports.”