As of 5:45 Wednesday evening, Tembec workers, members of Unifor local 233 are on strike.
It affects about 650 workers directly but about 1,700 indirectly.
Local president Roger Gauthier told BayToday that the company refused to negotiate in good faith.
"They refused to even consider our demands," he said.
The union had a number of key demands it wanted addressed including:
- discipline, not firing workers for a first offence
- company not respecting the agreement regarding grievances
- clawing back of previous union concessions
- job security
- following agreement patterns established by other companies in the sector
Talks took place Monday and Tuesday, but the union walked out at 11:40 this (Wednesday) morning, frustrated by the lack of progress.
"The membership is very disappointed the company wouldn't even consider our demands," Gauthier continued.
"They are joking with us, playing with us. We can't take this anymore. We had no choice but to go on strike. It was our last option and we had to exercise it.
"We can't take this abuse from our employer anymore."
One Temiscaming resident told Baytoday,"So close to Christmas, not the same down there, owned by Americans. Could get ugly. Management hired over 100 Security Guards and the Dam is blocked."
Attempts to contact the company spokesperson were unsuccessful.
A vote last Wednesday saw 94% reject the latest company offer.
The company manufactures lumber products like, pulp, paper and specialty cellulose.
