The 林业 sector faced a number of significant challenges before the COVID-19 crisis struck, 包括正在进行的软木木材纠纷, 纸浆价格下滑, 以及虫害造成的损害. The economic collapse that followed the pandemic has stalled construction, and many 林业 companies (especially small and mid-sized ones) are struggling with liquidity as demand for their products has fallen off.
While we have seen a number of layoffs in the broader 林业 sector, within 十博官网在线’s membership the layoff rate has been relatively mild compared to other sectors. According to the data that has been reported so far, by late May approximately 15% of members in the 林业 sector have experienced layoff, 相比之下，39%的活跃会员. Earlier on in the crisis, according to Statistics Canada data, “over half (53.9%)的农业企业, 林业, fishing and hunting sector reported they had implemented no changes to staffing as a result of the crisis.“在出口方面, the total dollar amount for ‘林业 products and building and packaging materials’ in Q1 2020 was almost unchanged the previous quarter, 与2019年第一季度相比下降了5%. 关于收入, 42%的企业在农业, 林业, fishing and hunting sector reported a decline in revenue greater than 20% in March.
一般, 说话, most 林业 sector workers have continued to work through the pandemic, although most have experienced changes in operations due to health and safety concerns. The bigger challenges for the sector are the longer-term issues mentioned above – the softwood lumber dispute, 纸浆价格下滑, 还有昆虫侵扰. As various governments begin the slow process of easing restrictions, 经济活动开始回升, the 林业 sector will hopefully experience an up take in production. 然而, the challenges that the sector faced prior to the COVID-19 crisis will continue to cause headwinds.
林业工人在工作中应该期待什么
For those who have continued to work through the crisis, there are critical health and safety challenges caused by the need for close contact with co-workers in our workplaces. 需要采取特殊的物理距离措施, as well as screening and monitoring protocols to prevent transmissions at work. 对于雇主来说，这将比以往任何时候都更加重要, 工会, 普通成员, 和关节健康 & 安全防范委员会要共同发展健全, risk-based health and safety programs in our workplaces.
同时, it’s clear that the one-two punch of the COVID-19 crisis on top of the pre-existing challenges in the sector have pushed some 林业 companies to the brink. 为了保护好, 该行业有工会的工作, 十博官网在线 has been working with governments at all levels to work on wage subsidy programs, as well as loan guarantees and other financial measures, to make sure our employers have the liquidity and supports they need to survive the pandemic.
What 林业 workers should expect from their Employers
Employers in the 林业 sector have an obligation to ensure their workers are safe on the job. 工会希望所有雇主:
- Fully participate with their employees and unions, and their Joint Health & 安全委员会, to develop and implement Return to Work protocols and revised workplace health and safety plans,
- 提供足够的培训, 页, and health and safety protocols to keep employees safe and protected, and maintain adequate staffing levels to ensure workers have the time to work safely,
- Provide extended benefits coverage (including health and pension benefits) for employees experiencing layoffs,
- Participate in the federal government’s Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program, 让工人重新回到工资单上, and help campaign for a CEWS program extension for employers that could face a longer ramp-up time for recovery.
林业工人对政府的需求
The 林业 sector is an important part of Canada’s economy, employing tens of thousands of Canadians from coast to coast to coast, 尤其是在农村地区. Governments at all levels can help the 林业 sector by both addressing the short- and medium-term challenges created by the COVID-19 crisis, 但也要解决更深层次的问题, more long-term issues the sector faced prior to the pandemic. 这意味着:
- 提供贷款担保, 过桥贷款, and other financial supports for 林业 companies struggling with the fallout of the softwood lumber dispute and unfair tariffs,
- Develop and implement Forest Policies that ensure our natural resources create jobs for communities while maintaining environmental and Indigenous rights,
- Continuing to fight for the interests of 林业 workers and their employers through legal proceedings, 中介, and other litigation and negotiation arising from various trade disputes,
- Providing additional and extended supports (like the CERB and CEWS programs) for workers in the 林业 sector and others that face loss of employment.
额外的资源
十博官网在线 has launched a hub for member information about the pandemic at viennafranchise.com/COVID19 and encourages members to check the site regularly for updates.
Subscribe to Unilink, 工会’s weekly national newsletter at viennafranchise.com/subscribe and download the 十博官网在线 mobile app on your smartphone.
