Header: Header: Header:

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

Paper Excellence Group Updates Business Unit Structure

The Paper Excellence Group (Paper Excellence) has announced an updated organizational structure for its business units following the recent acquisitions of Resolute Forest Products in March 2023 and Domtar in November 2021…

Housing Starts Decline, But Still Steady

U.S. housing starts were down 8% in June from May to a seasonally adjusted rate of 1.434 million. May’s 1.6 million rated starts had surprised everybody, increasing 20% over April. June single-family starts were at a rate of 935,000, 7% below May, while multi-family starts were 482,000, down 11.6% from May…

Dale Brown Becomes USNR CEO

Wood Technologies International announced that President Dale Brown has been appointed CEO of the company, succeeding Craig Tompkins who now serves as a Strategic Advisor to the Board of Directors of Wood Technologies…

Musser Plans More Byproducts

Musser Biomass and Wood Products, a division of family-owned and operated Musser Lumber Co., will invest $7.5 million and create 10 new jobs to expand its operation at Rural Retreat, Va. The expansion will more than double production of dried hardwood chips and sawdust the company supplies to composite decking…

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.