19.42°C Vancouver

Feb 6, 2020 6:08 PM -

Special mediators appointed in coastal forestry dispute

Share On

Harry Bains, Minister of Labour, has appointed Amanda Rogers and Vince Ready as special mediators in the eight-month collective bargaining dispute between Western Forest Products and the United Steelworkers Local 1-1937.

"This dispute has taken a huge toll on workers and their families as well as the entire coastal forestry community.

We want to see everyone get back on the job," Bains said.

"As Minister of Labour, I have decided to appoint special mediators Ready and Rogers with additional powers under the Labour Relations Code to help the parties reach an agreement as soon as possible."

The parties will be brought together by the special mediators to reach an agreement through collective bargaining.

If the parties don't reach an agreement, the mediators will provide the parties and the minister with recommended terms for settlement which they will have five days to accept or reject.

The minister of labour also can make the terms of settlement public.

"I am confident that with the assistance of two of the nation's top mediators, and the additional powers provided to them under the Labour Relations Code by this appointment, both sides can achieve a deal that ensures the sustainability of coastal forestry jobs and supports the terms and conditions of employment important to workers," Bains said.

Latest news

two-suspects-arrested-in-ongoing-lower-mainland-extortion-investigation
BCJul 03, 2025

Two suspects arrested in ongoing Lower Mainland extortion investigation

The RCMP is now able to publicly confirm the existence of an ongoing investigation into extortions, which is being managed by a Joint Force Operation (JFO). The investigation, that began in 2024, has led to the arrest of two individuals. On July 3, 2025, two suspects under investigation for extortion were arrested for careless discharge of a firearm and arson in relation to incidents that occurred in 2024, in Surrey, BC. Since late 2023, police across the Lower Mainland have been investigating a series of targeted financial extortions primarily affecting members of the South Asian business com
wheel-fell-off-rcmp-trailer-igniting-lytton-b-c-fire-that-triggered-evacuations
BCJul 03, 2025

Wheel fell off RCMP trailer, igniting Lytton, B.C., fire that triggered evacuations

Mounties say a wildfire that has triggered evacuations near Lytton, B.C. was caused when a wheel fell off an RCMP trailer in a "tremendously unfortunate" incident. Staff Sgt. Kris Clark says in a statement that the "equipment failure" that ignited the Izman Creek fire, about 250 kilometres northeast of Vancouver, happened on Tuesday afternoon on Highway 12. The wildfire began a day after the fourth anniversary of a blaze that destroyed most of the village of Lytton, and it's now grown to 130 hectares and has been upgraded to the only wildfire of note in the province. Clark says it appears the
political-petting-zoo-politicos-arrive-to-flip-pancakes-at-calgary-stampede
AlbertaJul 03, 2025

Politicians arrive to flip pancakes at Calgary Stampede

The first political pancakes have been flipped as party leaders from around Canada gather for the Calgary Stampede. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek led an early morning crowd through a series of ``Yahoos'' to herald the start of the rodeo that dubs itself The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. The 10-day event is an annual staple for politicos of all stripes as they hit what's commonly known as the summer barbecue circuit. Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi says he calls Stampede a``political petting zoo'' and to get away from that, he says he has encourage
alberta-reaches-settlement-with-two-coal-companies-suing-over-policy-flip-flop
AlbertaJul 03, 2025

Alberta reaches settlement with two coal companies suing over policy flip-flop

Two coal companies suing Alberta's government over its mining policy flip-flop say they've reached a settlement agreement with the province. Notices published online by Evolve Power and Atrum Coal say the details are confidential and no dollar figures are disclosed. Atrum says its agreement is definitive but Evolve says the terms of its own settlement are still being finalized. The companies are among five that are suing Alberta for a collective $16 billion. The companies argue that Alberta effectively expropriated their land after it suddenly reinstated its long-standing coal polic
rcmp-arrest-53-year-old-man-for-significant-fraud-in-romance-scam
BCJul 03, 2025

RCMP arrest 53 year old man for significant fraud in romance scam

On June 24, 2025 RCMP arrested 53 year old Michael Paul Snow for Fraud over $5000. Sunshine Coast RCMP began an investigation into this alleged offence in June 2023 when a Sunshine Coast woman reported a man she had met online had stolen $110,000 from her. Over the course of several months, Michael Paul Snow gained this woman’s trust and convinced her to participate in a business venture that was later learned to be non-existent. This type of offence is commonly referred to as a romance scam. As a result of a comprehensive investigation by Sunshine Coast RCMP a charge of Fraud over $5000 was

Related News