Despite a BC Supreme Court injunction, picket line arrests,
scabs, and company arrogance in moving finished product and raw materials out of the mill, some 100 members of CEP Local 1129 are still on the picket line. They’re more
determined than ever to win the same pattern settlement
achieved by 22 other locals.

The strike started April 10 after members rejected a final offer from Norampac which included a number of concession demands—three of them dealing with industry-wide contract language—even though the pattern called for no concessions. Company demands included proposals to pull out of the province-wide job evaluation program, increase employee contributions to health and welfare
benefit premiums, and delete language that discourages the use of non-union contractors.

Norampac also sought other (local issue) concessions on departmental seniority (which would have led to terminations), contracting out language, first aid coverage, providing relief supervisors from the bargaining unit, the probationary period for new hires, smoking on site, and safety boots.

Since hitting the bricks our members have learned first-hand the meaning of trade union solidarity. First and foremost this has come in the form of an extra $150-per-week in strike pay, financed by weekly contributions from members in other CEP Wage Caucus locals throughout BC. Those
members have pledged to keep contributing until all the premiums are paid for the health and welfare benefits we are keeping in force for striking members.

Many members of other unions have come to our out-of-the-way mill to walk with us on the line. Several CEP locals and the Vancouver and District Labour Council (VDLC) have made much-appreciated financial contributions. All of this generous financial support has helped defray some of the legal costs we have incurred by refusing to lie down and let the company do as it pleases.