File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Lumber Market

Tolko Soda Creek mill permanently drops from two shifts to one, cutting 65 jobs

Apr 17, 2023 | 3:47 PM

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — There is devastating news for employees at the Tolko Soda Creek sawmill in Williams Lake.

Tolko has announced the mill will be permanently reduced from two shifts to one. The company says it will work with its employees to determine a date for the change.

Sixty-five employees will lose their jobs as a result of the move.

“A lack of available economic fibre in the province, high log costs, and weak markets are impacting our ability to be fully operational,” said Tolko’s Troy Connolly in a news release. “While our goal is to ensure consistency and stability for all of our operations, the steep decline in lumber demand and upward cost pressures in the province make the decision necessary.”

In addition to the Soda Creek change, Tolko is also going down to one shift at its Armstrong mill. However, the Armstrong change is expected to be temporary. Once again in Armstrong, 65 employees will be impacted.

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“This downtime will affect many employees in these operations. We do not make these decisions without a lot of consideration,” said Connolly. “We have an extremely committed workforce at these locations whose families and communities rely on Tolko. We will continue to support our employees during this challenging time.”