![Mediation expected to begin Sept. 13 for Western Forest Products labour dispute, company says](https://cdn.cheknews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/12055712/WEB-WESTERN-FOREST-PRODUCTS-STRIKE-001-e1562114325574-1024x565.jpg)
Talks are expected to resume next week in the labour dispute between Western Forest Products (WFP) and its workers, according to WFP.
WFP announced in a news release late Wednesday afternoon that mediation between the company and members of United Steel Workers will begin Sept. 13.
Independent-mediator Vince Ready will handle the mediation, WFP said.
About 3,000 coastal B.C. forestry workers walked out on July 1 after contract talks broke down.
The two sides have been unable to come to an agreement on issues such as wages and benefits, shifting and a new drug and alcohol policy.
“We look forward to resuming discussions with the USW to negotiate a collective agreement that creates certainty for our employees, while maintaining Western’s competitive position during this particularly challenging time for the forest industry,” WFP President and CEO Don Demens said in a statement.
“It is important that we resume operations to supply our customers who, through their purchases, create thousands of jobs in BC.”