New Brunswick sawmill workers join union

180 employees automatically certified after card signing: Unifor

New Brunswick sawmill workers join union
Workers from the nearby Fornebu lumber mill in Bathurst, N.B., assisted in the effort to help the Chaleur workers join Unifor, says the union. Google Street View

Workers at Chaleur Sawmills in Belledune, N.B., joined Unifor on Sept. 4.

Workers from the nearby Fornebu lumber mill in Bathurst, N.B., assisted in the effort to help Chaleur workers join Unifor, says the union.

 “Workers see what Unifor is doing in this sector. They look at our contracts and how much we are able to achieve through collective bargaining, and they want to be part of it,” says Kellie Scanlan, Unifor organizing director.

The 180 workers at the mill — which was recently purchased by the Kilmer Group — join more than 22,000 forestry workers who are already part of Unifor. The workers joined Unifor through automatic certification, meaning that once a majority of workers at the plant signed a union card, Unifor was certified at the mill on Aug. 30, says the union.

“What a great way for these workers to celebrate Labour Day: by joining a union,” says Linda MacNeil, Atlantic regional director.

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