Western Forest Products B.C. Sawmill Restarts Following Recent Shooting
Western Forest Products sawmill workers in Nanaimo will return to the job site in a “soft start” following the shooting deaths of two workers.
Michael Lunn, 62, and Fred McEachern, 53, were killed at the start of the workday by a man with a shotgun. Earl Kelly and Tony Sudar survived the shooting. Separate funerals are planned for both men. Sudar, who was shot in the face, was released from Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. Kelly remains in “stable” condition at Victoria General Hospital.
Former millworker Kevin Douglas Addison, 47, is charged with first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. He is being held in custody for his next court appearance on May 13, 2014.
On Sunday, Brian Butler, president of Local 1-1937, said all but Nanaimo workers would return to work on Monday. Those most affected by the shooting, union members in Nanaimo, would return to work Tuesday and will be offered counseling and meetings with management and company personnel. “Members will not be forced to return to work in the soft start,” said Butler. “If they feel they are not ready, no one is going to pressure them.”
WFP is setting up a security presence at its mills and will be reviewing details with the union, Butler said.
From The Times Colonist: timescolonist.com.
Latest News
Boise Cascade Curtails Chapman Sawmill
Boise Cascade announced an indefinite curtailment of its lumber production in Chapman, Ala. The curtailment will affect 80 positions. The plywood operations at the Chapman location are not part of the curtailment. Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notification was provided to impacted employees and specifies that operations will cease on January 28, 2024…
WWPA’s Mathews Leaves A Legacy
James R. Mathews, known by most as Jim, was a WWPA Lumber Inspector and Master Lumberman, but is most remembered by his colleagues and those in the industry as a great friend and mentor. He died at the age of 74. Mathews spent 42 years working in the lumber industry. He began his career with Weyerhaeuser Co., Klamath Falls, Oregon in 1970. He worked in most of the planer mill positions until moving into the lumber grading department as a student grader in 1972…
WWPA Opens 2024 Master Lumberman Nominations
WWPA is now seeking nominations for its 2024 Master Lumberman honors, to be presented at the WWPA Annual Meeting, April 15, 2024. Master Lumberman is the industry’s highest career achievement recognition for lumber manufacturing and quality control employees working in Western sawmills…
U.S. Housing Starts Continue Upward Trek
U.S. housing starts in October increased 2% from September to a seasonally adjusted rate of 1.372 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development monthly new residential construction report…
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.