Header: Header: Header:

Oregon’s Swanson Group Petitions For U.S. Department Of Labor Assistance

Potentially hurt by competition with Canadian softwood lumber, Swanson Group, a wood products company based in Glendale, asked the U.S. Department of Labor to help affected workers.

Shelly Forsberg, a petition coordinator with the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, said a staff member at Swanson Group had asked her to file the petition, estimating about 36 employees may be laid off as a result of cutbacks to the business while it tries to compete with Canadian imports. Forsberg said she could not confirm if the layoffs have happened. Forsberg filed the petition Feb. 14, and the Department of Labor is currently investigating the situation before it decides whether or not to grant Swanson Group with the benefits of the program.

If the department finds Swanson Group eligible for assistance, the affected workers will meet with the program staff to discuss benefits, which include skills assessments, career counseling, training, income support, and reimbursement for relocation costs and a wage subsidy to make up for part of the difference between workers’ new wages and their old wages.

“Canada ‘dumping’ of softwood has affected cost of business and lumber supply to Swanson locations,” the petition reads. “International Trade Commission determined Canada sold softwood in U.S. at less than fair value.”

On Dec. 7, the International Trade Commission announced the U.S. wood products industry is materially injured by subsidized Canadian imports of softwood lumber. Swanson Group produces dimensional lumber, plywood panels, veneers and residential products, studs and sign-making panels.

From The News-Review: nrtoday.com.

Latest News

BID Group Starts Apprenticeship Program

In a significant development for the local community, BID Group has collaborated with the Dept. of Labor and Apprenticeship Carolina to launch a groundbreaking apprenticeship program in its Fabrication Shop. The program provides valuable opportunities for aspiring professionals in the manufacturing sector…

U.S. Housing Starts Fall While Building Permits Rise

U.S. housing starts fell in August from July, at a seasonally adjusted rate of 1.283 million, down 11.3%. Single-family starts were at a rate of 941,000, 4.3% below July, while multi-family starts were the primary culprit at 334,000, down 26.3%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development monthly new residential construction report…

Canfor Puts ‘Stock’ In New BC Facility

Vancouver, BC-based Canfor Corp. is investing $200 million to build a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Houston, British Columbia, which will have an annual production capacity of 350MMBF. “I’m very pleased to be making this announcement in British Columbia, where Canfor has been proudly headquartered for 85 years,” comments Don Kayne, President and CEO. “This decision comes following…

Find Us On Social

Newsletter

The monthly Timber Processing Industry Newsletter reaches over 4,000 mill owners and supervisors.

 

Subscribe/Renew

Timber Processing is delivered 10 times per year to subscribers who represent sawmill ownership, management and supervisory personnel and corporate executives. Subscriptions are FREE to qualified individuals.

Advertise

Complete the online form so we can direct you to the appropriate Sales Representative.