Strike at US lumber giant

15 September 2022


Staff at one of the biggest timber companies in the US walked out on strike on September 13 after the failure of contract negotiations, according to KPTV.

More than 1,000 employees represented by the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace (IAM) Workers engaged in industrial action at six Weyerhaeuser facilities in Washington and Oregon.

Workers have called for increased pay and improved retirement benefits, while also questioning healthcare details.

KPTV reported that logs were piling up at the Longview Weyerhaeuser sawmill on the banks of the Columbia, a mill which exports lumber across the world. One worker told the network that it was the first strike action by Weyerhaeuser since 1986. 

Weyerhaeuser released a statement saying it was disappointed by the strike action but it was committed to supporting working and would continue discussions with the union.