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

BC Plans Rankles Industry

Susan Yurkovich, President and CEO of the BC Council of Forest Industries, says the British Columbia Government’s apparent intention to defer 2.6 million hectares of old-growth across British Columbia will have a “profound and devastating impact on people, families and communities across the province…

Idaho Producers Supply Mass Timber Arena

Industry stakeholders of all types worked to supply materials for the recently opened ICCU Basketball Arena at the University of Idaho in Moscow. The 4,000 seat facility, which opened in October 2021, incorporates several innovative mass timber elements across some of the longest spans in the country. Designers…

Northwest Hardwoods Plans Move Of Head Office To Texas

Major hardwood lumber producer Northwest Hardwoods is relocating its head office from Tacoma, Wash. to Frisco, Tex. CEO Nathan Jeppson states, “This is an important move for our company as we position for long-term growth, and…

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.