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Two pulp and paper unions commit to bargaining cooperation

Two of the country’s largest unions in the pulp and paper sector have agreed to work jointly in the next round of pulp and paper bargaining in Western Canada. Unifor and the Pulp, Paper, and Woodworkers of Canada (PPWC) met in Vancouver in late…

Two of the country’s largest unions in the pulp and paper sector have agreed to work jointly in the next round of pulp and paper bargaining in Western Canada. Unifor and the Pulp, Paper, and Woodworkers of Canada (PPWC) met in Vancouver in late March to re-establish the Joint Pulp and Paper Caucus for the upcoming negotiations in 2017.

“Under this Caucus, our pulp and paper members will have a strong and united voice,” said Arnie Bercov, PPWC president.

Speaking for Unifor, Scott Doherty, assistant to the National President, said working together will help the unions better resolve issues “in an industry that has significant challenges.”

PPWC and Unifor have been successful with pattern bargaining in maintaining common pension, wage, and benefit language in the collective agreements of both organizations. The two groups have bargained separately since 2002 but have agreed to work together in the future. The groups already work cooperatively on the Pulp and Paper Industry Pension Plan and the Pulp and Paper Safety Conference.

The PPWC represents thousands of workers across British Columbia. Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing more than 305,000 workers.