By Andru McCracken

Marty Gibbons, President of the Steel Workers Union local 1-417, wants Valemount members to know that they haven’t been forgotten. Gibbons said that the union made some serious concessions to the president of Valemount Forest Products in order to continue their employment and now it’s up to him to hold up his end of the deal.

“At this point in time, the ball is in the company’s court,” he said. “The union members at the Valemount Forest Products site have unanimously endorsed an agreement.”

“Now they have bought up the majority of the Robson Valley’s timber supply, the other issue was the burner,” said Gibbons.

Kordyban’s other company, Carrier Lumber, is currently suing McBride Forest Industries for $9 million for a breach of trust. For a time it looked like McBride Forest Industries employees would be paid, but Carrier’s lawsuit threatens to leave employees with little or nothing of what they are owed in holiday pay and severance.

When told about Carrier’s lawsuit against McBride Forest Industries, Gibbons said he felt sympathy for that company’s employees, but said it is time Valemount had an operator with smart business sense.

“He doesn’t run unprofitable operations,” said Gibbons.

He said that the union is supporting the company in their application to the Ministry of Environment to run a modified silo burner.

Gibbons reported that the company is looking at alternatives to a beehive burner, in part because of Valemount’s now notorious air quality. However, we were unable to verify this with Kordyban, who did not return our calls before deadline.

Gibbons said that he has had conversations with the leader of the opposition Carole James and their forestry critic to try to force the burner permit issue.

“We have been trying to put pressure on the Ministry of Environment,” he said.

He said that Valemount’s reputation for having the second worst air quality in B.C. doesn’t help.

Gibbons also suggested that the company is also looking at the viability of a thermal energy plant to generate electricity.

As for the duration that his union members have been out of work, Gibbons isn’t happy.

“It is sickeningly slow,” he said. “Far too slow. Some things you can push, some you can’t.”

“At this point in time I want the people up there to know that we haven’t given up on Valemount. The union is remaining positive,” he said.

While some workers in McBride are feeling cheated, Gibbons believes Kordyban is acting in good faith.

“I personally believe Mr. Kordyban is going to run that operation.”

“He has purchased an amazing amount of timber in the area. He bought the timber from McBride. The fact that Mr. Kordyban has put his personal time and effort into negotiating with the union gives me a bit of confidence.”

“I’m not happy with the timeline. We want people working, but if Valemount survives to fight another day, we hope he puts some capital into the mill and makes it sustainable in the long term.”