On September 17, 2025 the LRB accepted lock-out notice served on the Union from Stella Jones. One could argue that this flies in the face of the bulletin that was distributed to each and every employee claiming “Stella Jones has no intention of locking out employees”. Lets remember why we are at impasse. The Union opened bargaining with the position that this was a round of bargaining that was crucial to the survival of our members, the employees, of Stella Jones. We stated that...

BARGAINING UPDATE #3 On August 28, the Company, Stella Jones provided every employee with a bargaining bulletin responding to the Union’s bargaining update. It is a shame that the Company is not willing to make the same effort at the bargaining table as the effort they make to bargain directly with the membership. The response is nonsense and intended to distract from the real issues. Please don’t expect that our members are so naive that they would think that maybe the inflation...

2025 LABOUR DAY Historically, union workers celebrated the day with various activities including parades, speeches, games, amateur competitions and picnics. The holiday promoted working-class solidarity and belonging during a time of rapid industrialization. The event served as a forum for unions to voice their demands. But it also helped build working-class identity and allowed time for...

On June 5, Stella Jones served lock out notice to its employees at the New Westminster and Kanaka Creek facilities. Stella-Jones is a leading North American manufacturer of products focused on supporting infrastructure that are essential to the delivery of electrical distribution and transmission.  The two sites rely on the utility pole market which continues to be lucrative.  Utility poles sales totaled $385 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, more than a 5% increase in sales in...

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT  DEEPAK KULLAR  LOCAL 2009 DISTRICT 3 STAFF AND ORGANIZER My name is Deepak Kullar, a man trying to rebuild the working class and kick ass along the way. I am an organizer for District 3, which covers the largest geographical area of all of the USW in Canada. I got my union start while working as a forklift operator at a lumber distribution centre represented by Local 2009 in Surrey, British Columbia. Through my tenure, I was also working as a...

CFLPA Grey Cup Kids Camp Saturday November 16 th , 2024 ACTIVITY AGREEMENT, WAIVER, AND RELEASE In consideration for being permitted by the above program to participate in the above activity, I hereby waive, release, and discharge any and all claims for damages for personal injury, death, or property damage which I may have, or which may hereafter accrue to me, as a result of...

Canfor’s decision to close Fort St. John and Plateau sawmills devastating blow to workers and communities 500 jobs lost including over 325 USW members   BURNABY, British Columbia, Sept. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United Steelworkers union (USW) Local 1-2017 (Prince George, B.C.), and the USW Wood Council are devastated to learn of Canfor’s sudden decision to permanently close Fort St. John...

Labour Day , the first Monday in September, has been a statutory holiday in Canada since 1894.  It marks the unofficial end of summertime fun and a day when thousands of people gather across British Columbia for their final big barbecue festivities.  Labour Day has evolved into a holiday about relaxing with friends and family, and that has led to the origins of Labour Day getting somewhat lost in celebratory events  devoted to leisure activity and family time. It is...

The employees of Chances Casino here in Abbotsford are in a legal strike situation. Our contract expired at the end of February of this year and just recently, after many days of bargaining the Union and the Employer reached impasse. The prominent issue is wages. The majority of employees in the casino are classified as slot attendants. The wages in the collective agreement are $16.34 per hour. Fortunately, minimum wages have risen to the point of $17.40 per hour as of June 1, 2024...

TALKS BREAK OFF AT CHANCES CASINO ABBOTSFORD   On June 19 USW Local 2009 and Playtime Gateway Gaming Inc. reached impasse in the attempt to negotiate a renewed collective agreement at the Chances Casino in Abbotsford (Peardonville).   The workers there remain far behind a living wage, a significant number earning only 30 cents above minimum wage.  Although past bargaining sessions had success in agreeing to a number of minor issues, most of the substantial issues remain...