VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Two of the country's largest unions in the pulp and paper sector have agreed to work jointly in the next round of pulp and paper bargaining in Western Canada. Unifor and the Pulp, Paper, and Woodworkers of Canada (PPWC) met in Vancouver last week to re-establish the Joint Pulp and Paper Caucus for the upcoming negotiations in 2017.

"Under this Caucus, our pulp and paper members will have a strong and united voice," said Arnie Bercov, PPWC President.

"Working together will help us better resolve issues in an industry that has significant challenges," said Scott Doherty, Assistant to the National President at Unifor.

PPWC and Unifor have been very successful with pattern bargaining in maintaining common pension, wage, and benefit language in the collective agreements of both organizations. Under the Joint Pulp and Paper Caucus, the unions are in a better position to face the growing challenges to the industry.

The two groups have bargained separately since 2002 but have agreed to work together in the future. The groups already work cooperatively on the Pulp and Paper Industry Pension Plan and the Pulp and Paper Safety Conference.

The PPWC represents thousands of workers across British Columbia. Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 305,000 workers. It was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers unions merged.