USW Encourages Customers to Consider Worker Safety Before Buying Wood Products at Home Depot

[Omaha Steve]

The USW was joined by members of the Sierra Club and the Rain Forest Action Network.

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2007/29/c6762.html

Steelworkers' North American Day of Action in 200 Cities Targets Unsafe Lumber Employers

PITTSBURGH, September 29 /CNW/ - News from USW: The United Steelworkers (USW) on Saturday sponsored a "North American Day of Action" at Home Depot stores in 150 cities to support more than 7,000 British Columbia forestry workers on strike against 30 companies, including Western Forest Products and Interfor, over dangerous working conditions. Since January 2005, some 65 BC forest workers have been killed.

"We will stand by our members for as long as it takes," said Leo W. Gerard, USW International President. "The desire for corporate profits should not be an excuse to strip workers of their rights and dignity, let alone their well-being and ability to provide for their families."

Thousands of USW members, leaders, community activists and their families volunteered to distribute literature about the labor dispute at Home Depot stores in their hometowns throughout the U.S. and Canada. The AFL-CIO has mobilized numerous Central Labor Councils (CLCs) across the country in support of this action.

"Cut Lumber, Not Safety" proclaimed the banners and leaflets. These informational actions are aimed to encourage shoppers to support a safer forest industry in coastal BC by seeking alternatives to Western Forest Products, Interfor and Weyerhaeuser "Cedar One" products.

"We would like consumers to avoid purchasing these labeled products and we urge Home Depot, and all other retailers and distributors, to avoid carrying these wood products," said USW Western Canada Director Steve Hunt.

FULL story at link.