The notice was issued on July 18, meaning that the union and its lumber industry members were in a legal strike position as of July 21.

USW has recently served strike notices against Forest Industrial Relations, the organisation which represents 31 companies in British Columbia that collectively employ 4,500 people, and TimberWest and Island Timberlands, which was issued on July 16.

“We are seeking a pattern agreement at all the bargaining tables to avoid a coastal strike,” said Steve Hunt, USW western Canada director.

“The industry is badly fragmented and is unable to reach common ground with our union on the fundamental issues affecting our members.”

Contracts talks started back in March, with the aim of addressing lumber workers’ concerns about shift scheduling, contracting out and severance pay in the sector.