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B.C. labour minister ‘disappointed’ as talks collapse again in forestry strike

B.C. labour minister 'disappointed' as talks collapse again in forestry strike | iNFOnews.ca
Surrey-Newton NDP MLA Harry Bains arrives to the start of the debate at B.C. Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, June 26, 2017. British Columbia Labour Minister Bains is not ready to step into the long-running strike at Western Forest Products but he says he's willing to meet with both sides. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

VICTORIA – British Columbia Labour Minister Harry Bains is not ready to step into a long-running strike at Western Forest Products but he says he's willing to meet with both sides.

Bains made the comment Wednesday, one day after the company announced that a round of talks with United Steelworkers Local 1-1937 had collapsed and negotiations had reached an impasse.

In a statement on its website, Western Forest Products says no future mediation dates are scheduled.

Bains says failure of the latest mediated session is disappointing and he's arranging to meet with the company and the union to discuss how to find a solution.

About 3,000 Western Forest Products employees on Vancouver Island have been on strike since July 1.

A union statement posted on Facebook says shift schedules and concession demands remain key issues, and union officials intend to hold closed-door sessions with members in five cities over the coming days to discuss the situation.

Speaking at the legislature, Bains echoed comments made last week by Premier John Horgan that a negotiated collective agreement is the best way to resolve the strike.

"I will be clear to both parties that this dispute is placing an unacceptable burden on coastal forestry communities, and I will strongly recommend to both that they return to the table and get a deal done," Bains said. (The Canadian Press, CTV)

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 19, 2019.

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Howard Alexander

Assistant Editor Howard Alexander comes to iNFOnews.ca from the broadcasting side of the media business.

Howard has been a reporter, news anchor, talk show host and news director, first in Saskatchewan and then the Okanagan.

He moved his family to Vernon in the 90s and is proud to call the Okanagan home.

If you have an event to share contact Howard at 250-309-5343or email halexander@infonews.ca.

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