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Joint Union Employer Taskforce

Establishing a join union-employer committee on just transition.

Purpose#

  • To create a space for union and employer discussions focused on large changes to capital investment that affect jobs.

Issues can include:

  • specifying future areas for cuts, automation, re-directed investment
  • identifying areas for investment
  • listing specific jobs and skill needs
  • to identify current skill sets in the membership/workforce and connect those members with new job opportunities
  • plan and implement joint campaigns directed at government funding to support workers affected and/or supporting planned investments in socially desired areas
  • planning (re)training programs for workers who request it

Energy: Apex Utilities & Unifor 1947 (2023)#

Both the Company and Union share concerns about Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and recognize related energy transition changes will impact employees. The Company is committed to working with the Union and employees to adapt to these changes. This commitment includes, but is not limited to, providing employees with timely and relevant information on anticipated and planned changes, and providing required training.

Forestry: Catalyst Paper & Local 592 of CEP days (2017)#

The Company is prepared to work jointly with the Communications and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP) to secure the following…Work jointly with CEP, its officers, agents and contacts, to seek funding for the advancement of the above stated purposes including alternate fuels etc., otherwise referred to as “Green Initiatives”, from Federal and Provincial ministries and their agencies etc.

Forestry: USW-IWA Taskforce#

A USW agreement outlining changes to IWA around major changes to their work and establishing a taskforce.

Weldwood of Canada Limited and IWA-CANADA have agreed to a Task Force, comprised of three (3) representatives from management and three (3) representatives of the Union, with co-Chairman from each party. The Task Force will examine the changes and trends in the Forest Industry.

The terms of reference for the Task Force will be as follows, but may include other matters the parties wish to explore.

To examine the change(s) taking place within the Industry and the impact on Union/Management relations.

To identify any procedure, policy, agreement, work schedules, method, working environment, people utilization, and Company practice which contributes to efficient, safe production performance while expanding the current workforce.

To identify what changes are appropriate to improve the overall Industry’s ability to harvest and manufacture the timber in a safe, economical manner.

To identify opportunities for employees to learn new skills and to train Company employees to operate the equipment and perform the other jobs associated with the evolving jobs within the B.C.Forest Industry.

The Task Force will submit reports with recommendations to the Union and Management Negotiating Committee on a regular basis on measures that will address the changes needed within the Forest Industry.