Economic Smiles in Ear Falls
EAR FALLS – Business – The Unifor Sawmill in Ear Falls is set to re-open in 2014. The announcement comes as a result of a new long-term labour deal between EACOM and Unifor.
EACOM which operates the mill has announced that it will re-start the Ear Falls Sawmill in the spring of 2014. The sawmill has been idled since December 7th, 2009 during the height of the housing crash in the United States.
Stephen Boon, Unifor National Representative said, “Local MPP Sarah Campbell and Minister of Natural Resources David Orazietti have been very supportive in ensuring EACOM was also able to secure the necessary softwood volume to run the sawmill at full capacity once operational.”
The Ear Falls Sawmill will produce over 150 million board feet of stud lumber annually with up to 125 Unifor members at the sawmill site and up to 175 more Unifor members in log harvesting and hauling operations on the Trout Forest.
In the final year of this new contract, top maintenance rates of pay will reach just over $37/hour with top production rates of pay exceeding $32/hour.
Boon added, “We have maintained an excellent working relationship with EACOM during this entire process and we are extremely pleased to have reached a solid, long-term deal that contains what may be some of the best language and compensation of any sawmill in Eastern Canada.”
Key Terms of Deal
– Contract in place for 2014 spring start-up ending May 1, 2022
Wage Increases – 20% over 8 years
May 1, 2014 – 1%
May 1, 2015 – 1.75%
May 1, 2016 – 2%
May 1, 2017 – 2.5%
May 1, 2018 – 2.75%
May 1, 2019 – 3%
May 1, 2020 – 3.5%
May 1, 2021 – 3.5%
– $1.50/hour immediate raise for all top production jobs in sawmill and planer
– $1.00/hour immediate raise for mobile equipment operators in yard
– New DC Pension plan with up to 6% Employee / 6% Employer contribution match
– 100% Company paid drug, dental, disability and health coverage
– $.10 increase in shift differentials up to $.83/hour during term
– $750 annual tool allowance for trades
– $3250 annual Company payment to Local Union for training and social functions
– $200 Boot allowance
– $275 for prescription eye glasses
– 1 additional stat holiday
– strong language related to seniority, layoffs, postings, bumping and contracting out
– commitment to encourage first nations opportunities in sawmill and woodlands operations
– Unifor flag will fly at sawmill site with Union logo on all finished lumber packaging
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