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First collective agreement reached
After being certified to the United Steelworkers Local 1-405 (USW) on June 6, and numerous days of negotiations and mediation with the assistance of mediator Dave Schaub from the BC Labour Relations Board, the two parties have reached a first collective agreement.
USW 1-405 had been trying to negotiate the standard forestry contract that applies to the union’s certifications in the Kootenays including Stella Jones in Galloway, which is a similar pole treating facility.
When negotiations broke down, the newly certified membership at Brisco gave the bargaining committee an 86% strike vote mandate on September 18, served 72 hours strike notice on Monday, October 24 and were in mediation again on October 27.
“We were able to negotiate a lot of the new collective agreement with the assistance of the mediator and with the outstanding language and monetary issues both parties agreed the mediator could make recommendations to settle the agreement. The mediator’s recommendations were voted on and accepted by our members last week,” said Doug Singer, President of USW Local 1-405 in Cranbrook.
The company also accepted the recommendations of the mediator to form a first collective agreement.
“The collective agreement covers off much of the standard forestry agreement which was very important to establish in the first agreement,” said Singer. “We are very happy we have been able to negotiate a fair collective agreement for our new members at Brisco without a labour dispute. Now our members can focus on doing their jobs and we will work at establishing a good working relationship with the company.”
River Butte Management – Brisco Wood Preservers (pictured) is a pole treating plant located in Brisco. The operation employs approximately 24 people.
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