Local News Comments

I hope no workers got injured at SPI today. This is a perfect example of why we need unions. The people working here need a local job and are very glad to have a job here at the mill and at Keystone for SPI. Unfortunately they cannot complain about anything. They work on old unsafe machines, new unsafe machines, they are on forced overtime,like working in The Depression Era, very unhappy morale. They are told if you do not like it, then leave. How about just listening to workers and improving workers welfare?
People work sick and injured because they do not dare take a day off sick. Anybody that knows workers here, knows how bad the conditions are.
I just wish the company and the men in charge treated each other better so there are no more accidents and injuries.

I believe the fire engines on scene were from the Tuolumne County Fire Department, 1 Cal-Fire fire engine working under contract for the TCFD, and Sonora City Fire Department had their truck.

As far as I know, nobody was hurt. I work there, and was present at the time. Pretty big fire, but no structures were damaged, just the Hogwood and Shavings bins and the Chip bins had damage. As far as I know (as of 3pm when I left for the day) they're not sure yet as to what exactly happened, but the safety features for the shavings and hogwood bins worked as it was supposed to, or at least it appeared as so to me.

@sonoraman
That's crazy talk. This is a Capitalist country. Our government is controlled by and run for the benefit of companies by use of lobbyists. Therefore we don't care about workers. Oh, we like to say we do, but...

You sir are sorely mistaken, I am a current SPI employee and also one of the ones who worked on the fire. It is unfortunate when coworkers get injured in any way, shape or form; however realize this is a Sawmill injuries will happen just as they would in any hazardous workplace examples being construction, logging, or roadwork. Safety is a very high priority at the mill as well. We have bi-weekly safety meetings that every employee attends where any employee can raise any concerns that they may have to be addressed. In addition to that we also have an employee run safety committee that ensures all of these concerns are filled. Also where as the union is concerned not having one involved in the at the Standard mill was not the "Big Wigs" decision but the employees we voted them out.

As a side to that as well we here receive better benefits and pay here than the union run mills in the company. Our supervisors and mill management take good care of us here and while the work may be hard or labor intensive we are not worked to the bone as you suggest like a Depression Era factory worker. So if you yourself do not work there do not try to demonize the company. I am greatful for the opportunity to work for SPI and receive the pay and benefits that support my family.

Let me tell ya it isn't only SPI that has unahppy working conditions. I work for a company that feels harassing their team members or member is the right way in doing things. Verbal harassment is horrible.

sonoraman I lost count of how many conclusions you jumped to. OSHA has very strict safety guidelines. If there are violations all someone has to do is drop the dime.

Sonoraman-you said it perfectly!

I can assure u safety is top priority.It's a sawmill not a t.j maxx.. work is supposed to be hard, thinking like sonoraman is why companies have left the U.S. I love working for SPI and they are putting food on the table for many hardworkers and their families. Your depression era comment is completely ignorant as well...

As Calisdad said, OSHA visits this business just like MSHA visits the locals mines for inspections. Its not machines that are unsafe, its the people that run them trying to take short cuts. I know several guys that have been fired from that company due to SAFETY related issues and are mad at the company because SPI saved their lives by letting them go. So sonoraman, are you just assuming what you hear is true from other people?

Seems to me I remember when SPI said it was opening back up a shout of happiness went out all over this county. A lot of guys and gals are making a good living wage with good benefits there. The problem with this country is no one wants to work for their pay anymore. They think they should just show up and get handed a check for doing nothing. How many times have I heard "thats not my job" ????? Boys and Girls, Thats why they call it work :-)

SPI is a decent caring family owned company. They do more for the people than a union could EVER do (besides taking their vote, and their money, and destroying the company that HAS the jobs).

calisdad

Some people drop the dime..because there are always fools that believe what someone says, @is true@

I'd like to caution people on jumping to the conclusion that the fire in the bins were from "dangerous conditions". Every day across the country there are fires in these things. It can be caused from something as innocent as a blown motor or bearing. The fact that there was not a dust explosion can show that the automated protection systems in all the equipment worked. Couple that to the on-site fire suppression training that the mill offers to those that are willing to take it and the interaction between the facility and the Fire Department and you have a couple damaged pieces of equipment that can be repaired quickly, no damaged facilities, and most importantly...NO INJURIES! Do yourselves a favor and research dust fires in equipment; you'll understand this event a little better.