Forest workers to return after narrowly accepting 3-year contract ends 13 week strike

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/story.html?id=163ca42d-fc61-4590-aacc-05e1999fc347&k=3490

Crippling 13-week coastal strike ends by a margin of 56 votes
Kelly Sinoski, Vancouver Sun
Published: Monday, October 22, 2007

Forest workers will return to work this week after narrowly accepting a new three-year contract and ending a 13-week strike that has crippled the $2-billion coastal forest industry.

But the result -- 50.77 per cent of workers who voted were in favour of the deal -- has divided the workforce. Only 56 votes separated the "yes" and "no" sides.

The vote, held in five locals of the United Steelworkers Union during the past week, affects 6,000 of 7,000 workers who have been off the job since July 21.

Union locals would not disclose the breakdown of the voting, saying it would prejudice ongoing negotiations with Island Timberland, Interfor and TimberWest Forest -- three companies not covered by the deal.

But Bill Routley, president of Local 1-80, Cowichan, said the results have left some of his members feeling "hurt and wounded."

"The narrow margin clearly indicates the industry has some work to do in returning to a situation where members are happy to be at work," Routley said.

"A lot of members feel disrespected. It indicates a level of concern where the vote is at, but Local 1-80 will suck it up and go back to work with the rest of the group."

FULL story at link.