NANAIMO — As Western Forest Products workers returned to the mill where four people were shot last week — in some cases in front of them — the company and its union said they’re working to review security policies.
All but a few employees of the downtown Nanaimo mill returned to their workplace on Tuesday, just days after a fatal shooting left Michael Lunn and Fred McEachern dead. Two others were injured.
Former millworker Kevin Douglas Addison, 47, is charged with first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. He is being held in custody for his next court appearance on May 13.
On Tuesday, a police officer and two security guards screened all vehicles going in and out of the mill. Nearby, a flag was at half-mast, and nearly 20 red T-shirts hung on a fence, part of a growing memorial that included more than 100 bouquets.
Inside, workers met with counsellors, walked around the site and talked to one another.
United Steelworkers 1-1937 president Brian Butler, whose union represents the mill’s employees, said in an interview Monday that the union and company are working together to review security in the workplace.
Security before the shooting was a check-in, checkout system at the mill’s gate. “[We want] to make sure workers and their families have a sense of a secure work environment,” Butler said.
“Right now we’ve got additional security designed to provide comfort for the employees. They should feel secure when they go to work.”
Western Forest Products CEO Don Demens said that employees are being paid as usual and are being given the option to return to work whenever they’re ready, with counselling in the meantime.
For those who witnessed the shooting, psychologists are available to help them deal with the trauma.
“Our focus is on supporting the families and the employees after such a tragic incident and getting operations back to usual,” Demens said.
“The safety and security of our employees is first priority.”
