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More than 100 protesters protest the loading of logs while local mill workers face mill closures
December 14, 2006
Port Alberni—A protest this morning in Port Alberni slowed down the export of raw logs being loaded on the vessel Spear Flower heading for Asia.
More than 100 people including local politicians, mill-workers and members of the Save our Valley Alliance gathered on the local dock calling for an end to raw log exports.
Today’s protest came on the heels of an announcement that Somas’ Alberni sawmill will be closing for a minimum of two weeks, with local management citing a lack of log supply as the reason for closure.
B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair was also invited to speak at today’s rally and told the group recommendations in yesterday’s report from the Ministry of Forests would do little to stop the loading of ships such as the Spear Flower.
"That report didn’t stop and ask what the impact of continued log exports will be on communities like Port Alberni," stated Sinclair. "We’re going backwards in this province. Instead of developing a vibrant value-added industry, we’re shipping public resources away to the highest bidder with little thought on how to maximize local benefits."
Tom Russell, the local Steelworkers President, who represents the laid-off workers, pointed out that the logs being shipped today to Asia originated on what has historically been public Crown land that the provincial government gave away to Weyerhaeuser in 2003.
"There’s no reason these logs shouldn’t be processed in local mills," Russell said. "If anyone doubts a connection between exporting logs and losing jobs here in BC, then they need to visit Port Alberni and see first hand what these lay-offs mean."
Local City Councilor Jack McLeman spoke on behalf of the city saying, "it’s time to expand this fight. Port Alberni is facing a tough future if log exports continue, but we’re not alone. Forest communities are facing mill closures across the province. We know it’s a big fight, it’s time to make it even bigger."
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For more information contact: Jessie Uppal 604-430-1421 or 604-220-0739.
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