Western Forest Products to cut back production at B.C. mill as strike continues

VANCOUVER – Western Forest Products Inc. says it will cut back production at its Ladysmith, B.C., sawmill in part over the impact of union strike action.

The company says log supplies to the mill have been impacted by the United Steelworkers Local 1-1937 strike and it will curtail operations once log supplies are depleted.

It says the temporary curtailment, expected by the start of August, will impact 67 unionized employees represented by the Public and Private Workers of Canada.

Western Forest says about 1,500 hourly employees and 1,500 employees working for its operators and contractors went on strike July 1.

The company and the union have both said they want mediation but have disagreed over who would take on the role.

The union’s strike over pensions and other issues comes as the industry faces significant market challenges.

Companies in this story: (TSX:WEF)