Tentative Deal Reached

A tentative deal has been reached between Green Wood Forest Products (GWFP) and the Union Negotiating Committee (UNC).

With the help of a Labour Relations Board Mediator a possible settlement has been reached which the UNC will bring to the union members. A vote will be held on Wednesday, August 16.

The terms of the recommended settlement include:

-A three year collective agreement with no wage increase,

-Effective the date of return to work the current wage scale shall be reduced by $1.30 per hour for all production job classifications,

-Effective the date of return to work the employees shall contribute 50% of the Pension Plans 'Service Cost' to a maximum of 72 cents an hour,

-Effective the date of return to work the employees shall contribute 70 cents per hour towards the Health & Welfare Plan.

The union membership has final say over whether these terms will be accepted. The union workers have been on a forced strike for 29 days. In July, the management of GWFP asked workers to take a significant wage and benefits cut to help them deal with financial hardships they are facing.