Machinists union claims legal victory for Washington state woodworkers and forestry-dependent communities after state supreme court rules DNR continues to have fiduciary duty to manage working forests

Sample article from our Government & Public Policy

Washington state , July 28, 2022 (press release) –

The IAM and the Washington State Council of Machinists, along with several allied organizations in defense of IAM woodworkers and others in the wood, pulp, and paper industry, have successfully beat back an attempt to take forest management away from the people of Washington state.

The Washington state Supreme Court recently unanimously ruled that the Washington Department of Natural Resources continues to have the fiduciary duty to manage working forests, known as state trust lands. 

READ: Machinists Join Fight to Protect Washington State Forestry Jobs

The case, Conservation Northwest v. Hilary Franz, upholds more than a century of precedent of public lands being used to both sustain the environment and protect good jobs, which help fund schools, local economies, and more.

“This is a victory for every IAM woodworker, their families, and the countless Washington state communities who rely on this critical industry,” said IAM Woodworkers Department Chief of Staff Mike Rose. “I’d like to thank every ally in this fight, especially the American Forest Resource Council and the IAM Legal Department, for standing up and winning in the face of this attack on our livelihoods.”

The IAM represents approximately 2,000 members in the wood, pulp, and paper industry in Washington state.

“The IAM will always stand for policies that both grow good jobs and sustain our environment,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen. “IAM woodworkers and the communities who manage our treasured forests have rightfully won a huge victory for the future of sustainable forest management. Let this victory serve notice that the Fighting Machinists will fiercely defend our member’s interests anywhere anytime!”

Washington state’s foresting industry depends on the sustainable source of timber provided by the state trust lands to stay in business, support thousands of family-wage jobs, and produce climate-friendly wood products that help reduce Washington’s carbon emissions.

* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.

See our dashboard in action - schedule an demo
Chelsey Quick
Chelsey Quick
- VP Client Success -

We offer built-to-order government & public policy coverage for our clients. Contact us for a free consultation.

About Us

We deliver market news & information relevant to your business.

We monitor all your market drivers.

We aggregate, curate, filter and map your specific needs.

We deliver the right information to the right person at the right time.

Our Contacts

1990 S Bundy Dr. Suite #380,
Los Angeles, CA 90025

+1 (310) 553 0008

About Cookies On This Site

We collect data, including through use of cookies and similar technology ("cookies") that enchance the online experience. By clicking "I agree", you agree to our cookies, agree to bound by our Terms of Use, and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. For more information on our data practices and how to exercise your privacy rights, please see our Privacy Policy.