New radio ads from Unifor highlight forestry crisis

VICTORIA, April 16, 2018 /CNW/ - Unifor released radio ads today to call on Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr to take action against U.S. tariffs levied last month on paper products from five Canadian mills.

"These bully tactics from the Trump administration must be challenged immediately," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. "The federal government has no time to waste. Five communities and thousands of workers are waiting for action."

The radio ads feature some of the workers represented by Unifor who stand to lose their livelihoods in Corner Brook and Powell River. Unifor says the Trump government's combined 28?32 per cent countervailing and anti-dumping tariffs on products produced by Kruger Inc. in Newfoundland and Québec and Catalyst Paper in British Columbia will force the mills out of business.

"Inaction is not an option for the Canadian government," said Joie Warnock, Unifor Western Regional Director. "These small communities cannot become casualties in the Trump administration's trade war."

On the East Coast, Unifor is also mobilizing to pressure the government to act.

"These are good-paying jobs that support communities throughout the region including Corner Brook. Without this mill, the forestry sector in western Newfoundland will be devastated," said Lana Payne, Unifor's Atlantic Regional Director.

The radio ads are available on unifor.org/stoptrumptariffs

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

SOURCE Unifor