PRINCE ALBERT, SK - United Steelworkers Local 1-184 president Paul Hallen says the union is very pleased to be informed that two Weyerhaeuser forest industry operations in the province are being purchased.

Quesnel, BC-based C&C Wood Products has signed an asset purchase agreement with Weyerhaeuser Canada which would see it open the Carrot River sawmill and Hudson Bay plywood plant in east central Saskatchewan. Some 300 USW members were employed when the mills were idled in January of 2007.

"We regard this as very positive news for workers and their communities," says Hallen, who notes that there are further details to be finalized between the provincial government's Ministry of Energy, Resources and Environment and the parties.

A final agreement would see the assignment of the Pasquia-Porcupine Forest Management Agreement (FMA) to both companies. "We hope to see this new deal materialize soon and look forward to building a good working relationship with the employer to ensure a safe and efficient start-up of operations," adds Hallen.

Hallen says the purchase agreement is a positive sign for the future of forest-dependent communities in the province.

"This is very welcome news to the communities of Hudson Bay and Carrot River and outlying areas which have relied on the forest industry as the backbone of their rural economies," says Hallen.

The mills have utilized an integrated timber supply, which has also supplied hardwoods to the Weyerhaeuser OSB 2000 plant in Hudson Bay. C&C, with a 32-year history, specializes in wood paneling and specialty board products, as well as wood pellet production for domestic and foreign markets.

"The Hudson Bay plywood plant and Carrot River sawmill had skilled and experienced employees who were very adaptive to new products and technologies," says Hallen. "The start up of these mills can provide an opportunity for laid off workers to re-enter the forest industry."