THUNDER BAY – Stephen Boon, Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP) National Representative has confirmed that the 150 maintenance and production workers at the AbitibiBowater Thunder Bay Sawmill located on the Fort William First Nation have now voted to join the CEP.
The union conducted a 6 month organizing drive which resulted in an application for certification on August 5th at the Ontario Labour Relations Board.
“Subsequent voting took place throughout the day on Friday, August 12 with CEP winning a majority support from employees,” Boon stated. “This is one of the most modern sawmills in Eastern Canada, and we are extremely pleased to welcome this skilled group of forestry workers into CEP. We will be spending the next few months helping them get established in their new CEP local and preparing to negotiate a new first agreement with AbitibiBowater.”
Boon concluded, “This should be an excellent fit as CEP is the largest forestry union in Canada and already represents most employees at AbitibiBowater’s Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper operations and almost 80% of AbibitiBowater employees in eastern Canada.”
