Man says his firing from a Kootenay sawmill was racially motivated

Reymer Gomez says his dismissal from a sawmill in B.C.'s East Kootenay region is the result of racial discrimination although his former employer denies this.

Gomez,who is originally from Cuba, got a job working at the Elko Sawmill east of Cranbrook, B.C., three months agoafter working for seven years as a camp cook in the Flathead Valley.

He says his supervisor wasn't there when he completed his first shift, but did showup during his second shift, and did not introduce Gomezto the rest of the crew or use his name.

"He never even wanted to talk to me, that was my feeling the whole time," says Gomez.

Near the end of thatshift, the supervisor noticedGomezlooking at a text from his wife on his cellphone and warned him that wasagainst company policy.

Complaint to union

At the beginning of his fifth shift Gomez says he was called into an office with his supervisor, a union representative and anotherperson. Hewas told his employment was terminated because of cellphone use on the job site.

I think if I was a 20-year-old white man I'd get a call, just have a conversation.-

Gomez, who has a wife and five kids,says he was stunned.

"I think if I was a 20-year-old white man I'd get a call, just have a conversation," he says.

Canfor says it cannot discuss an individual worker's termination because of privacy issues. But in an email to CBC, Canfor'ssenior communications directorMichelle Ward said,"Termination decisions are often made to protect the health and safety of all employees working at a facility. Canfor is committed to developing an inclusive culture and diverse workforce that reflects the communities where we operate."

Gomez complained to his union,United Steelworkers Local 1-405 in Cranbrook, whichgrieved the firing.

He says he was then called at home on Aug.6by the company and asked if he'd looked at his cellphone more than once. He said he had not.

Canfor then alleged it had video tape of Gomez looking at his cellphone a second timewhile on the job. They accused him of watching a movie and said his firing would stand.

Unusual treatment for workers

Steelworkers local vice-presidentDoug Wood says the way Gomezwas treated is highly unusual.

"I've been there a long time and I've been plant chairman and in the union for over 25 years at that mill and I've never seen anyone treated like this. Never."

Wood says typically the company would have a conversation with the worker and his union before firing them.

The Steelworkers are talking to their lawyer about taking the matter to outside arbitration, he added.

"We never gave the man a chance," Wood says.

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