Times Colonist
May 7, 2004
Laid-off mill workers get OK from court
for class-action suit
BY RICHARD WATTS
Times Colonist staff
The 230-odd sawmill workers who lost their jobs when the Youbou sawmill shut down are now closer to seeing a settlement.
A decision came down Thursday from the Supreme Court of B.C. allowing former sawmill worker Ken James, 52, of Duncan to launch a class-action suit against the provincial government.
James’ lawyer, Joe Arvay, said the decision was an important legal hurdle.
Now, instead of just proceeding on behalf of James, the suit can go ahead on behalf of all 230 sawmill workers formerly employed at the Youbou mill.
Timberwest shut down the 72-year-old mill in 2001. The workers immediately protested, saying the government had failed to force the company to live up to its obligations as the holder of a tree farm licence to keep the mill running.
At one time, the provincial Government promised an investigation but it was never completed.
The union – the Industrial Wood and Allied Workers of Canada – launched a lawsuit but it was never pursed.
Arvay said now that the class-action suit can go forward on behalf of all the affected workers at the mill he hopes government will decide to negotiate.
"We are hoping with this under our belt the government will now do the right thing and try to negotiate with the workers for a fair and just settlement," he said.
Ministry of Forests spokesman Don McDonald said government lawyers are now examining the decision.
TIMES COLONIST, Friday, May 7, 2004 [B3]
