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
PotlatchDeltic Sells Minnesota Acreage
PotlatchDeltic Corp. officials recently announced an agreement to sell 72,000 acres in Minnesota to The Conservation Fund for approximately $48 million. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2020. Company officials noted the sale is part…
Indonesia To Keep Export License System
Backing off an earlier announcement that Indonesian wood products exporters would no longer need to obtain a license showing the wood’s origin and legality, Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade recently reversed itself after an outcry from wood…
Interfor Lays Off Gilchrist Staff
Following an earlier announcement, Interfor began laying off 130 of 150 employees at its Gilchrist, Ore. sawmill in late June. Company officials cited difficulties with the coronavirus issue and overall market conditions as reasons for the layoffs…
Wood ID Lab Moves To Oregon State
Thanks to a five-year, $4 million federal grant from the Forest Service International Programs Office, the Wood Identification and Screening Center (WISC) is moving to Oregon State University, where it will join the College of Forestry. The WISC was…
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.