THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016
Vol. 10 No. 36
www.albernivalleynews.com
«INSIDE: Family donates Tseshaht canoe to Maritime Heritage Society. Page A3
Tsunami club wins at regionals. Page A23
NEWS
Log shortage forces layoffs at APD mill KATYA SLEPIAN
ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS
Close to 100 workers have been laid off at Western Forest Products Alberni Pacific Division mill, said United Steelworkers Local185 financial secretary Glen Cheetham.
They’re not logging right now because there’s some disputes going on in the bush. – Glen Cheetham “It’s close to 100 people laid off just at the mill,” said Cheetham. “It’s gone down to one line which is basically half of the crew.”
However, Western Forest Products director of communications Amy Spencer said that only 40 people have been laid off. “We’ve temporarily laid off about 40 people,” said Spencer. Cheetham said that the layoffs were due to a log shortage. “They’re not logging right now because there’s some disputes going on in the bush,” he said. “It’s not a labour dispute but it’s a rate dispute between the licence holder (Western Forest Products) and the prime contractor (Island Pacific Logging) on what the rates should be for logging. The crew was just caught in the middle.” Workers out in the bush haven’t Cont’d on A7
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A speaker addresses the crowd during a refugee welcome shower fundraising event earlier this month.
Refugee family to arrive ‘soon’ Sponsorship committee has secured housing; ready to welcome family KRISTI DOBSON SPECIAL TO THE NEWS
The Port Alberni Refugee Sponsorship Committee is in full swing and is prepared to expect a family of seven from Syria any day. After a successful “Welcome Shower” fundraiser on Sunday, Feb. 7, more home furnishings were secured, about $2,000 raised
and almost 600 gift cards donated. Each guest was also encouraged to write a welcome note, which were put in red envelopes and will be shared with the family upon their arrival. “I think the most precious thing, and the most important thing, was a (local) Arabic-speaking lady who was teaching the crowd
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“You hear people in coffee shops and around town making comments, but I think most of it is ignorance. They are afraid of the unknown, but I think it will be okay.” Of the 16 groups on the North Island, six have settled refugee families into their respective communities. Cont’d on A14
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Arabic,” said PARSC member, Pamela Day. “She was so articulate and I think she reduced some people’s fears about the issue.” Day said that since the arrival of refugees to other communities lately and the ongoing public education, she is confident this family will be welcomed by residents of Port Alberni.
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