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Catalyst and unions in a drive for five |
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By Aaron Bichard
The Pictorial (Duncan)
Oct 22 2005
In a joint effort to keep Catalyst's Crofton division kraft pulp
portion of the mill economically viable and open, the union and
management are driving for five.
Pulp, Paper and Woodworkers of Canada local No. 2 president Lynn
Lindeham said the union doesn't want the community to be another in
B.C. facing announcements of a mill closure.
"We came forward and asked the company to be a leader on this,"
Lindeham said. "Our guys have been offering up solutions and now we've
reduced the costs to the target for this year."
The company set a goal of bringing costs of kraft pulp production down
from $575 per tonne to $500 within the next two years. This year's goal
sat at a $35 per tonne reduction, which has already been met.
"We were surprised with how quickly and efficiently the workers met the
goal," said Don McKendrick, Crofton division vice-president.
"We have got the strongest balance sheet among pulp and paper mills in the country.
"It's because this company focuses on change and continuous improvement."
McKendrick said from 2002-2004 the company dropped $100 million per year in production costs.
"What it does is buy us time," he said. "Many mills are threatened with
shutting down or have already. We aren't going to be one of them."
Lindeham said the union members have been able to reduce the kraft pulp
production costs without touching the collective agreement.
"We've been looking at reducing costs by more effective ways of
operating machinery and increasing loads," he said. "This is something
most of our guys have bought into."
Lindeham said the incentive driving the workers is simple: "Ten years down the road we'll have a competitive, open mill."
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