In protest of wages, the loggers behind close to 200 trucks chose to not deliver wood to Boise Paper Mill in International Falls, Minn., on Thursday. The protest participants reflect about 95% of the semis that deliver timber to Boise, according to Associated Contract Loggers and Truckers of Minnesota spokespeople.
Loggers and Truckers Executive Director Scott Dane says the protest stems from Boise’s refusal to negotiate adequate adjustments in the price paid to loggers for timber. He says the refusal comes the same week that Boise’s parent company announced its 8th consecutive quarter of record earnings.
Dane says the serious, and at times, high risk or below zero conditions under which loggers must work does not match the pay. “And it’s just gotten to the point where they aren’t able to make a living at this any longer. So, they were hoping they would understand that and recognize the cost of them doing business, and adjust the delivered price of wood for them to make it so they could make a living and provide for their families,” Dane said.
Dane says many loggers plan to withhold deliveries again on Friday, choosing instead to stay home or deliver elsewhere. Boise spokespeople declined to comment on the protest.
From NNCNow.com: https://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/iron-range/Truckers-hold-protest-over-pay-at-Boise-Paper-Mill-281009062.html