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Unifor, PPWC to join forces for upcoming bargaining round

Labour unions Unifor and Public and Private Workers of Canada (PPWC) say they have joined forces for an upcoming bargaining round with Canfor.

In a statement, the unions say they will employ pattern bargaining, which is when an agreement from one employer is used as a precedent for another.

“We have decades of experience and success with pattern bargaining in the forestry sector, which positions us to face the growing challenges in our industry, and we are very pleased to have both unions collaborating with the joint caucus working collectively,” says Scott Doherty, Unifor’s executive assistant to the national president and lead negotiator in the forestry sector.

The unions say they plan to maintain common pension, wage and benefit language in collective agreements and seek gains for 900 members at Unifor Local 603 and 1133, and PPWC Local 9, in Prince George, B.C.

This round of bargaining will set the pattern for 5,500 members from 13 Unifor and five PPWC local unions in B.C. and Alberta, say the unions.

Meetings are slated for June to choose bargaining dates and agree on safety protocols in light of COVID-19 restrictions.