Workers for the forest product company Weyerhauser on the Queen Charlotte Islands changed their allegiance last week, when they proclaimed their alliance with the Haida people of British Columbia and demanded a change to sustainable forestry practices. The alliance seems an unlikely one, but seems to suit both parties nicely at this point in time.
The Haida are a First Nation people of Canada who have traditionally inhabited an isolated group of more than 200 islands off the coast of British Columbia, Canada. They survived the effects of smallpox epidemics and residential schools, and now number around 4000. Their population centers around the communities of Skidegate and Old Massett.
In February, the Haida won a historic case against Weyerhauser and the province of British Columbia. The court found that Weyerhauser had breached its responsibility to consult with the Haida Nation before commencing logging. Weyerhauser is currently in the process of appealing the decision.
Employees of the company, fearing the effects of the current recession, and with an eye toward the future of logging on the Queen Charlotte Islands, decided in large part to turn against Weyerhauser. An ad hoc workers’ coalition has demanded that harvests be cut in half, and that Weyerhauser practice more sustainable logging practices. In the event that the Haida Nation gains title to the land, the loggers say they would like to work for the Haida.
Says log-truck driver Christian Edinger, “If we just keep going the way Weyerhaeuser is going, there'll be nothing left in four or five years. We need to plan out a 100-year logging plan. The communities here on the islands, we can't survive without logging."
On Monday, June 3, workers had planned a walkout, but a Haida chief suggested a celebration of the new alliance between the workers and the Haida, and Weyerhauser conceded by giving all of its employees the day off. The festivities were attended by 350 people, and featured a salmon barbecue. Of the 155 workers employed by Weyerhauser in the Queen Charlotte Islands, 135 support the coalition.
Logger Bernie Lepage summed up the feelings of disgruntled Weyerhauser employees: “We are saying we have had it with you [Weyerhauser]. We know our friends and neighbours, the Haida, are more about communities than are big governments, big corporations and even big unions."
