USW struggling for a deal with Aspen Planers

United Steelworkers Local I-417 is trying to negotiate a deal with Aspen Planers to get their workers back to work in Lillooet and Savona, British Columbia.

The members of the local have agreed to major concessions in a four year proposed deal that included a two year wage freeze and deferrals of holiday and stat pay until the operations were doing well.

However, Aspen Planers has not acknowledged the union's proposal. Instead, Aspen Planers has proposed an 11 year contract for Lillooet, with no desire to negotiate for Savona at this time.

The two operations used to employ 450 people at one time; last summer when then-owner Ainsworth Lumber closed up there were 150 workers in Savona and 100 in Lillooet.

Aspen Planers bought the mills and associated forest land in December.

Read more:

Union says company gives no response to counter offer (Kamloops Daily News)