The president of the Steelworkers Local 1-417 says a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Forests might have led to easier negotiations with Canfor after the closure of the Vavenby sawmill.

Marty Gibbons says he told John Allan the union was having issues coming to an adjustment agreement after the June 3 closure announcement.

“Since that phone call, Canfor came back to the table and we were able to negotiate not the adjustment plan we wanted, but one that will assist workers moving forward,” he said. “You know whether or not there was an influence of the Minister of Forests or not, we experienced a new attitude from the company and we were able to come to something that we think is fair.”

He says among other things, they were able to get extended benefits and dental coverage for the workers who will be out of a job next month.

As for the future of the workers from the mill, Gibbons says various other executives of the Steelworkers Union are working on a number of issues like timber supply.

“We’re a local union and we have a focus of workers and our focus is these workers right now,” Gibbons said. “I’m sure things need to change and legislation and everything, but right now we’ve got to focus on helping these workers and getting them what they need to continue productive.”

And he notes he is still pushing for a meeting with Premier John Horgan and Forests Minster Doug Donaldson to discuss the issues plaguing the forestry industry in B.C.