Local 1-2010

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President's Corner

The WSIB and You

Brothers and Sisters. It has been a very busy winter with the day-to-day business, arbitrations, and ongoing negotiations.    

Rockshield EWP - Cochrane

There are no positive signs for the members who were working at the Rockshield EWP plywood plant in Cochrane and who have been laid off since March of 2025. Unfortunately, there’s no sign of a restart for the near future. The mill is still damaged from the March 2025 fire and no construction is ongoing to fix the damaged area. At least 125 members have elected to take their severance pay out of the 150 members that were working at the plant. 

Kap Paper Mill - Kapuskasing

Since last September’s announcement on the idling of the Kap Paper mill, there has been ongoing development. The mill is operating and with the unfortunate mill closures elsewhere, the Kap Paper operation has been provided an opportunity to increase its tonnage for North American customers. The company continues working on a project to develop a MDF plant with the support of investors, stakeholders and from both the Provincial and Federal governments. With the Collective Agreement up for renewal, we met with the company during the week of April 27th to negotiate a new agreement. At the time of writing this report no agreement has been finalized. We have more dates of negotiations coming up later this summer.  We’ll update you folks in our next edition of the Echo on these negotiations.   

Centre de Santé du Grand Sudbury

On February 12th, 2026, our members from the Centre de Santé du Grand Sudbury ratified a new 3-year Collective Agreement at 69%. This new agreement offers a 9% wage increase over the term of the agreement, increases in vacation entitlement for members with more than 15 and 20 years of service, an increase for paid sick leave, and reimbursement for doctor’s notes. 

Interfor Gogama Sawmill

On April 14th, 2026, in preparation for the upcoming negotiations, we met with the members working at the Interfor Gogama sawmill to take their demands for the renewal of their Collective Agreement that expired on March 31st, 2026. On April 21st, 2026, the company announced that the mill was shutting down it’s operations in Gogama indefinitely due to the slow markets. This announcement lays off some 40 members. 

Interfor Timmins Sawmill   

From December 1st to 5th, 2025, March 9th to 12th, 2026, and again from April 20th to 22nd, 2026, we’ve met with the company in negotiations to try to get a fair agreement for our members working at the Timmins Interfor sawmill. Unfortunately, we’ve been unable to come to an agreement, and the Local will be applying for conciliation.  

GreenFirst Forest Products - Cochrane Sawmill

Negotiations have been ongoing since last November. We’ve met with the company from November 17th to 19th, 2025, and then again from March 24th to 26th, 2026. During our March 24th to 26th meeting, the company gave us a last offer. The final offer was presented to our members on Sunday May 3rd, 2026. The membership rejected the employer’s final offer at 95%. We will be applying for mediation. 

Wishing everyone a beautiful summer. Be kind to one another. Stay safe.  

In Solidarity;

Eric Carroll

Health & Safety Report

Hello Brothers and Sisters!

The forestry sector in Canada continues to be under unfair counter-vailing duties and a tariff from the American government. This amounts to 45% at the time of me writing this report. It’s completely unfair that Canadian producers are forced to operate under these conditions. All this does is raise the cost of the average American new build home, to just over $17,000, again as of the time I am writing this report. Obviously, new home builds in the US have been fairly stagnant, creating less demand for Canadian lumber. This situation will not change until Canada has a new softwood lumber deal in place with the US. Your Local has been diligent in lobbying local, provincial and federal leadership, to make getting a new softwood lumber deal a priority. It is just as important as any of the other sectors such as the steel industry and auto manufacturing just to name a few examples, under similar duties and tariffs. Hopefully this changes sooner, rather than later.

Domtar Atikokan Sawmill

It has been business as usual at the sawmill in Sapawe. The company has been looking to expand into specialty markets. The reason for this is to try and get additional and or more sales in Canada to avoid the duties and tariffs. I would expect other sawmills in Canada will be doing the same to offset the current climate of the industry. Neil Richard, the steward at the Atikokan Sawmill, has adjusted well as a new executive on the Local’s Executive Board. Neil is now a part of the decision making for the Local, and he has been a great addition. I will be scheduling the normal spring membership meeting for May to listen to any questions or concerns from the members. I will also be scheduling a labour management meeting soon with the company to discuss any concerns before they become major issues.

Domtar Ignace Sawmill

Very sad news to report on the Domtar Ignace Sawmill, the company has idled the mill indefinitely as of March 2026. The mill was already down to one shift as of January 2025. As well, the Local represents the contractor Dallan Forestry, which operates the heavy equipment outside of the sawmill and provides service to it. All of the members in the sawmill and at the Dallan operations outside are now out of a job. I held membership meetings for both units. At those meetings, I provided information on many job opportunities at other mills in our Local as well as information as to what Service Canada and employment insurance would be offering at upcoming meetings put on by both services. I attended those meetings to be there for the workers and provide support; it was the least that I could do. Hopefully if the market conditions improve and Canada can get a fair softwood lumber deal with the US, maybe at some point down the road things could change.

Dallan Atikokan & Dallan Ignace

The Dallan operations in Atikokan have continued to be a busy operation. The sawmill did not end up adding a fourth shift. This no doubt would have ended up requiring additional Dallan operators, but market conditions have prevented that happening for now. A new steward has been elected at the Dallan Atikokan operation, Liam Wilson. Thanks for stepping up Liam to support your co-workers! We will be holding a membership meeting for Dallan Atikokan in May to give the folks an opportunity to bring forward any questions or concerns.

As I mentioned earlier in my report, the Dallan Ignace operations have ceased due to the permanent idling of the Domtar Ignace sawmill. Sad times, indeed. I held a membership meeting for the group there and the Dallan operators in Ignace were also offered job opportunities at other mills in the Local as well as info for Service Canada and employment insurance information sessions. Hopefully things change in the future.

Nakina Lumber Inc

Nakina Lumber is still producing at a high level and trying to manage the challenges that the forestry sector faces. As I reported previously, there have been some issues with the on-site camp, but those issues have been getting better. On another note, the JHSC has had some troubles in the past, but the union and the company have been working together to try and improve things. I plan on having a membership meeting in May for the group. Candace Koenders, the women’s committee representative for the site, will be attending her first women’s committee meeting that the Local holds annually. Cody Kostelecky, the steward for the site, will have the opportunity to attend the annual stewards meeting that the Local holds. The Local offers training and resources for the stewards at the annual meeting.

Gateway Casino

Gateway Casino Thunder Bay is a very busy unit, as usual. Our members provide great service to the customers of Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario. There is usually a lot of offerings for the customers whether it’s food promos, giveaways or special draws, there is always something going on there. Steward Shayne Savor and the grievance committee have been doing a great job representing the members. The membership has also been slowly growing there as well. I plan to have a membership meeting in May or June to listen to any member questions or concerns.

Well, we have had a long winter this year. I am sure everyone is looking forward to hot weather and fun times this summer. With that being said, if you are able, try to keep your travel dollars inside of Canada. There are so many great places to visit in Ontario and outside of our province.  Please remember not to drink and drive, Take care everyone!

In Solidarity;
Wesley Ridler

I would like to take this moment to wish everyone a happy and safe summer. Hopefully after this long winter of snow and cold we will be able to enjoy a nice summer with family and friends. Please remember to be careful and responsible while enjoying the summer activities.

White River Woodland 

We were in negotiation with White River woodland on the 4th of November where the present agreement was extended for another 5 years.

GreenFirst Forest Products - Hearst Sawmill 

We were in negotiation with the GreenFirst sawmill in Hearst from October 6th to 10th and November 12th where no agreement was reached. We held a membership meeting on the 14th of December where a strike vote was held on their final offer where it was rejected at 100%. At that moment, the company applied for conciliation. From  that  moment, other dates were scheduled for more negotiation that was held on the 25th of February where a final offer from the company was given to the employees. We held the vote on the 19th of April where it was rejected at 96%. We are waiting to see what will happen later in the negotiation. I will let you know more in the next Echo.

Lecours Lumber Woodland 

We were in negotiation with Lecours Lumber Woodland on the 24th and from the 26th to 28th of November where no agreement was reached. At this point we are waiting for other dates for more negotiation.

Columbia Forest Products - Shop

We held negotiations with Columbia Forest Products Shop from the 7th to 9th of April where no agreement was reached. At this point we did schedule other dates for more negotiations that will be held from June 8th to 10th, June 15th & 16th and also June 25th & 26th, 2026 where we hope to reach an agreement with the company.

Other Units 

We have negotiations due with other units where dates have not been determined yet. Those units are Lecours Lumber Sawmill, GreenFirst Forest Products Hearst Woodland, Aramark, Columbia Forest products Woodland and La Maison Renaissance.

Training 

We will again this year give some training to our members; we will hold a training for our new stewards from May 12th to 15th in Thunder Bay. We will also have the Women’s Committee training in Thunder Bay from June 17th to 19th. As for the Health & Safety training it should be held from September 23rd to 25th, still needs to be confirmed. For the Stewards training it should be held from October 7th to 9th, still needs to be confirmed.

Again, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and wonderful summer vacation with your loved ones and friends.

In Solidarity;

Guy Veilleux

As we move forward from my October report, I want to provide an update on where things stand today and what lies ahead for several of our units. The past six months have continued to test our industry, but they have also demonstrated the resilience and strength of our membership. Over this reporting period, union activity focused on enforcing the collective agreement, addressing workplace safety issues, engaging members across multiple forestry operations, and maintaining labour-management dialogue with employers operating in Northwestern Ontario.

In addition to day-to-day representation, the reporting period highlighted broader strategic challenges facing the forestry sector, including contractor use, hauling pressures, fibre supply concerns, and industry restructuring. These developments require continued vigilance to ensure the interests of Local 1-2010 members remain protected.

Wanson Lumber Inc. has now begun bargaining for the renewal of their collective agreement. This will be an important round of negotiations, and we will be working hard to ensure our members there continue to move forward with a fair and strong agreement. I’d like to welcome Rene Legourrierec to the role of Steward.

Up North, The Wood and RPMG Harvesting have returned to the limits working in the Caribou Forest and are hauling out of the Graham as per the MoU Remote Agreement. This return to remote operations is a testament to the determination and professionalism of our members who continue to keep the fibre moving in challenging conditions.

I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome new Stewards who have stepped up to represent their coworkers. From the hauling side, Mathieu Maltais will be serving as Steward, and from the harvesting operations, Serge Ringette has taken on that responsibility for The Wood operations. We also have a new Steward at Dallan FW, Cody Kresack has taken over the reins. Stewards and JHSC members play a critical role in our union, and their leadership strengthens our presence on the ground every day.

Looking ahead, the next six months will be very active for bargaining across our Local. Dallan FW Sawmill will begin negotiations as their agreement expires on October 1st. In the current environment of tariffs, duties, and ongoing uncertainty surrounding forestry operations, I expect labour relations to be challenging. However, our strength has always been our unity and our preparedness.

The Domtar Thunder Bay Woodlands collective agreement will also expire in November. The Union expects to begin taking bargaining demands early in September in preparation for negotiations. I strongly encourage all members to participate during membership meetings to ensure your voice is heard. Your input is essential in shaping the priorities we bring to the bargaining table.

Dallan LP Thunder Bay Pulp will also be paying close attention to any outcomes from the Dallan FW Sawmill negotiations, as they are scheduled to begin bargaining next April. What we achieve together today will help set the tone for the agreements that follow.

Brothers and Sisters, these continue to be uncertain times for the forestry sector, but our Local has proven time and time again that when we stand together, support our Stewards, and stay engaged in our union, we are stronger than any challenge placed in front of us.

The work you do every day — in the bush, on the road, and in the mills — keeps this industry alive and our communities moving forward. Our union will continue to stand with you, advocate for you, and fight to protect the jobs and agreements that support our families and our future. 

As we move into the months ahead, let’s continue looking out for one another and keeping our workplaces safe.

Work Safe. Play Safe. Stay United and enjoy the summer!

In Solidarity;

Jason Lacko