Loggers, truckers hold off on strike

PORTAGE LAKE – Loggers and log-hauling truckers decided Saturday to postpone a planned strike at least one week, until after they meet with officials of Irving Woodlands, northern Maine’s largest landowner.

The general trucking strike by truckers hauling logs for Irving was planned to begin today, but more than 65 truckers and loggers decided to wait before stoppage work.

The men met for more than 31/2 hours Saturday in a closed-off dining area at Dean’s Hotel. They worked out a list of demands that will be presented to officials of Irving Woodlands early this week.

The workers want trucking rate increases of 25 percent to 30 percent, a surcharge payment when diesel fuel costs rise above $1.45 a gallon and better road conditions.

Their demands will be brought to company officials early in the week by Dean Plourde, a former trucker who is on disability leave after surgery.

The workers will meet again Saturday for a report from Plourde on his efforts with the company. That’s when they will decide whether a strike will happen.

The last time truckers struck against Irving was three years ago. Truckers stayed out of the woods and their trucks were parked in downtown Fort Kent for most of a week while negotiations went on.

“Organizing may be the way to go anyway,” Rep. Troy Jackson, an independent from Fort Kent and a logger himself, told the group. “Whatever needs to be done has to come from you guys.

“I will do whatever you guys need me to do,” he said. “I realize there is a problem with the price you receive for working.”

Jackson was one of the ringleaders in work stoppages against northern Maine landowners four years ago. Workers blocked roads and border crossings on private lands. He is also the author of several pieces of legislation on logging issues.

He told the workers they needed to stand together if they want to do anything. He said he would have no problem in being their spokesman, if they asked.

“You know from the start that the company will try to pit one man against the other,” he said.

“If we are not united, we won’t get anywhere,” yelled one trucker at the session.

“We have to stay together, from the stump to the mill,” said another, referring to all involved in woods work, from the cutter in the forest to the trucker delivering logs to the mill.

Loggers at the session said they also would be looking to get cutting rate increases of 25 percent to 30 percent. Even though the cutting contract won’t come up until spring, loggers said they would honor a strike by truckers.

Loggers at the meeting said Irving is offering truckers a rate increase of 7 percent when a new contract comes into effect Jan. 1. Truckers and loggers work on annual contracts. The trucking contract comes due Jan. 1, and the cutting contracts come out after mud season in June.

Fearing reprisals from the company, truckers asked that their comments at the meeting remain anonymous. They voted to remove a television camera from the room at the outset of the meeting. The reporter and cameraman left the meeting entirely.

During the coming week, loggers also will talk to another two dozen or so truckers and loggers who were not at the meeting. They hope to get everyone together on whatever action they decide needs to be taken.