Forest Products Industry Urges Opposition to Support Back to Work Legislation
February 23 2007, Ottawa, ON
The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) today welcomed the government’s initiative to introduce back to work legislation to bring to an end the ongoing strike by CN’s freight conductors and switching yard employees. The industry also called on the opposition parties to recognize the significant impact the strike has already had on Canada’s economy and support the legislation.
“The 340,000 forest products workers and the more than 320 communities that depend so heavily on our sector are being held hostage by this strike. The current service disruption has already led to the industry losing contracts, incurring significant costs and shutting mills. For this reason, the industry strongly supports the government’s move to legislate an end to the strike and would urge the opposition parties to support the legislation,” said FPAC President and CEO, Avrim Lazar.
“Should this dispute continue any longer, it will have profound consequences for Canada’s economy. Clearly, a negotiated settlement is the preferable route. However, with no apparent end to the dispute in sight, immediate action is necessary. We hope that the opposition parties recognize the urgency of bringing this strike to an end,” added Lazar.
FPAC is the voice of Canada’s wood, pulp and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade and environmental affairs. Canada’s forest industry is an $80 billion dollar a year industry that represents 3% of Canada’s GDP. The industry is one of Canada’s largest employers, operating in over 320 Canadian communities and providing nearly 900,000 direct and indirect jobs across the country.
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For more information, contact:
Isabelle Des Chênes
Director, Communications
Forest Products Association of Canada
(613) 563-1441 ext: 323
ideschenes@fpac.ca
