VANCOUVER, CNW – A new four-year tentative agreement has been reached between Catalyst Paper and Unifor, representing approximately 750 workers in British Columbia.
“This agreement achieves the pattern bargaining goals that Unifor set for the western pulp sector, which is helping to raise standards across the board,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “I congratulate the bargaining committee on obtaining a fair deal in these very challenging times for the Canadian pulp and paper industry.”
In March, the U.S. Department of Commerce imposed a 22 percent anti-dumping duty on products produced by Catalyst Paper, threatening its BC mills. Unifor has been active in the campaign to support the Canadian pulp and paper industry, calling on the federal government to take immediate action to stop these unfair duties and support the communities affected by Donald Trump’s bully tariffs.
“These jobs are the backbone of entire communities,” said Western Regional Director Joie Warnock. “We will continue to fight for workers and their families and for the future of the forestry industry.”
The new contract covers Catalyst members represented by Unifor Local’s 176, 592,686 and 1132. The tentative agreement is supported by the union’s bargaining committee and is viewed as a fair and reasonable settlement. Details of the collective agreement will be released upon ratification, which will take place next week.