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- Tembec update at Chamber luncheon
- Kootenays unemployment is highest in province
- Teck, Steelworkers reach deal at Elkview coal mine for second time
- New tree planting project
- Minimum wage hike could hurt small business: chamber
- Planer mill staff receive compensation
- Local forestry jobs are so far secure after reorganization
- Christmas trees: A natural state of affairs
- An endurance contest in the Cranbrook Community Forest
- Cranbrook Community Forest plan must change to reflect changing times
- Volunteer eco-restoration in Community Forest
- Former planer mill employees plan demonstration
- Gallowai Bul mine carries on despite court action
- Lumber picture improves
Around 3,000 forestry workers in the Kootenays will vote next week on whether to go on strike over a collective agreement.
The United Steelworkers union has negotiated for two years for an agreement with the Interior Forest Labour Relations Association (IFLRA), which represents forestry employers in the southern interior.
"What has brought us around to a strike vote is all the delays in negotiations with the IFLRA," said Stan McMaster of the United Steelworkers Local 1-405.
"They do not want the members in the south to basically have the same provisions in a collective agreement that the rest of the province has."
Ballots for the strike vote were sent out on Tuesday, March 15, and results of the vote will be known on Friday, March 25.
In the East Kootenay, the IFLRA represents Galloway Lumber and Selkirk Forest Products in Galloway, and Tembec in Elko, Canal Flats and Cranbrook.
