Services Provided by FIR:

1. Collective Bargaining

The main function of the organization is to negotiate a collective agreement on behalf of its member companies. Negotiations on behalf of employers are conducted by the Negotiating Committee consisting of the staff of Forest Industrial Relations, augmented by representatives of member companies who participate in the bargaining discussions with the Union. There is, of course, constant consultation between the negotiators and the Executive Committee to discuss policy and the limits of bargaining authority on specific proposals.

The Coast Region to which the Master Agreement applies is that area of British Columbia west of a line following the summit of the Cascade Mountains, or what is commonly called the Coast Range. This region is comprised of the following U.S.W.A. Locals:

Local 1-80, known as the Southern Vancouver Island or Duncan Local.

Local 1-85, known as the Port Alberni Local.

Local 1-2171, known as the Loggers' Local at Courtenay and the Vancouver Local.

Local 1-3567, known as the New Westminster and Fraser Valley Local.

Local 1-363, known as the Courtenay Local.

Recently the USW has merged Local 1-80 Local 1-2171 and Local 1-363 into a new local known as Local 1937

Although the vast majority of FIR member companies are covered by the Coast Master Agreement, FIR does negotiate and administer special agreements for niches within the Industry. For example, Mill Construction employers have a different agreement (Coast FIR-USWA Construction Agreement), and a different remanufacturing agreement has been negotiated at some operations.

2. Clearing House for Wage Changes

One of the most important functions of an employer organization, particularly during periods between major negotiations, is to provide a clearing house for all wage revisions resulting from changed job content, installation of new equipment, etc. It is important that member companies support a strict rule that no wage rates will be established or changed without following the procedures under the collective agreement, to ensure that the rates are consistent with respect to similar or identical jobs. This rule is a fundamental one and is absolutely essential to the effective control and stability of the wage structure. There are four separate programs in effect: Grouping in logging, Job Evaluation in Plywood and allied operations, Rate Determination in sawmills and allied operations, and Rate Determination for the hourly-rated jobs in shake/shingle operations, all of them administered by FIR jointly with the USWA.

3. Arbitration

One of the services provided to member companies (generally at extra cost to the specific company involved) is the handling of arbitration cases involving grievances arising from discharge, employee discipline, application of seniority, etc.  FIR utilizes external legal counsel who can handle any and all aspects of arbitration.  FIR may underwrite the cost of individual company arbitration cases where the issue at arbitration will have a broad significance to the Industry as a whole or where the circumstances necessitate Industry support the member company.

4. Litigation

The organization will conduct and/or finance litigation on behalf of member companies in cases before the Courts or Labour Relations Board, wherein a principle is involved touching on the employee relations interests of the Industry as a whole. Whether or not a case does involve a problem of Industry-wide interest is a question to be decided by the Executive Committee.

FIR also assists member companies in any applications to the L.R.B. for Cease and Desist Orders or related matters.

5. Logging Grouping, Sawmill Rate Determination and Job  Evaluation

The organization administers a Job Evaluation Program in the veneer, plywood and composition board sector of the Industry, Rate Determination Programs in the sawmill and allied sectors and shake/shingle sectors, and Job Grouping in the logging sector, and various staff members are administering these programs.

6. Health and Welfare Program

One staff member and two company representatives comprise the management representation on the Board of Trustees that administers the Health and Welfare Program, which provides insurance and weekly indemnity benefits for employees covered by the Master Agreement in the Industry. In addition, the staff is responsible for liaison with carriers of the Extended Health Benefits and Dental Plans for the Industry.

7. Pension Plans and Long Term Disability Plans

Members of staff are Industry trustees and advisors to the IWA-Forest Industry Pension Plan which covers I.W.A. certified companies throughout Western Canada.

8. Management Education & Training

In the past FIR has provided a full program of courses, offered to the general membership and to individual operations in-house, on such topics as management of industrial relations; understanding the Coast Master Agreement; discipline / discharge / accommodation; teamwork and leadership concepts; etc. We are not currently offering these services except on a custom basis to individual companies

9. Apprenticeship Training

FIR negotiates and administers agreements with the Union providing for selection and training.

10. Economic Analysis and General Services

FIR can provides contract cost analysis and general statistical, management information services, as well as economic analyses as needed. FIR is not an organization which functions only during negotiations for new collective agreements. The organization assists its member companies in the interpretation of relevant statutes and provides assistance in the processing of grievances and labour relations problems of all kinds.

February 11, 2009