Unifor Condemns New U.S. Forestry Tariffs

Unifor, Ottawa, Ont., Canada, is calling on the Canadian federal government to intervene immediately to stop new anti-dumping duties imposed by the U.S. on pulp and paper mills in Newfoundland and British Columbia.

"Unfair tariffs aren't just political theatre, they're reckless policies that will close down mills and throw hundreds of Canadians out of work," said Jerry Dias, National President. "This is completely unacceptable and Ottawa needs to push back hard against these heavy-handed tactics."

The new duties will cost the Newfoundland mill $30 million.

This week the U.S. Department of Commerce announced a new 22% anti-dumping duty on products produced by Kruger in Cornerbrook and Catalyst in British Columbia. Some 65% of Kruger's product is shipped to the U.S.

 

 

Provincial government officials have expressed concerns about the impact of such huge tariffs on the local economy.

"This unfair tariff is playing games with the livelihoods of more than 500 mill workers and the workers that harvest product for it, not to mention the hundreds and hundreds of people who work in industries that depend on the economic spinoff from the mill," said Lana Payne, Unifor Atlantic Regional Director.

In British Columbia, matters are equally dire in the communities surrounding Catalyst's facilities in Port Alberni, Powell River, and Crofton.

"Small communities in British Columbia will suffer if the federal government doesn't take immediate action to stop these unfair duties," said Joie Warnock, Unifor Western Regional Director.

Unifor represents 23,000 forestry workers from coast to coast to coast. It is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the 

For more information, contact Unifor Communications Representative Ian Boyko , or 778-903-6549.