Information about this Class action

This action is being brought against Weyerhaeuser Company Limited on behalf of former salaried, non-unionized employees of Weyerhaeuser Company Limited and its predecessor MacMillan Bloedel Limited, or Saskfor, with respect to retiree benefits.

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions about the proposed settlement set out below.

Case NameNickel v. Weyerhaeuser Company Limited 
CourtSupreme Court of British Columbia
Counsel for the plaintiffsSteven Rogers,  Victory Square Law Office LLP

Current Status

On January 24, 2018, British Columbia Supreme Court certified Nickel v. Weyerhaeuser Company Limited as a class proceeding and appointed Barbara Sirett and David Biggs as the representative plaintiffs of the class.

A settlement was recently reached and there will be a hearing in Vancouver on December 18, 2018, regarding the proposed settlement agreement. You can, but do not need to attend.

Terms of the Proposed Settlement

A copy of the full settlement agreement, excluding schedules, can be found here.  If you have a question as to which schedule applies to you please contact us and we can provide that information.

Under the proposed settlement agreement, settlement class members will be entitled to a one-time payment of damages on the following basis:

Former employees of MB who retired prior to 2002, and former employees of Saskfor who retired prior to 2010: retroactive payment for monthly premiums for retiree extended health, life insurance, and MSP, calculated from June 1, 2010 until October 3, 2018;

Former employees of MB who retired in 2002 or later, and former employees of Weyerhaeuser who retired prior to May 1, 1998: retroactive payment for monthly premiums for retiree extended health, life insurance, and MSP, calculated from June 1, 2013 until October 3, 2018;

Former employees of Weyerhaeuser who retired on or after May 1, 1998, and former employees of Weyerhaeuser resident in Saskatchewan who retired on or after May 1, 1998: retroactive payment for monthly premiums for retiree extended health, life insurance, and MSP, calculated from October 1, 2016 until October 3, 2018.

Weyerhaeuser has also agreed that, for at least the next four years from the date of the settlement agreement, it will not reduce its contribution to the cost of premiums below the current 50% of 2010 premium rates, consistent with contributions since June 1, 2010. Weyerhaeuser has also agreed that any future changes made to the plan will not reduce the benefits provided below industry standards for retiree health benefits.

For Further Information

Please email Assistant to John Rogers, QC.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Am I eligible to participate in the settlement?

If you were a member of the salary MB retirement benefits plan, the Weyerhaeuser Legacy plan, or the Saskfor plan, and you retired before 2010, you may be eligible.

If you retired after 2010, you are not a member of the class and are not eligible to participate in the settlement.

If you chose the Advantages plan, you are also not a member of the class and are not eligible to participate in the settlement.

2. Do I have to do anything right now?

At this point you do not have to do anything. If the settlement is approved by the court and you are an eligible class member, you will receive a cheque in the mail for your portion of the settlement proceeds. You can expect to receive that payment by March 2019.

3. What happens next?

The lawyers for both sides will ask the Court to approve the settlement agreement. If you wish to object to the settlement agreement, you must send your objection in writing to the lawyers for the settlement class at their address below by December 14, 2018.

4. Will I have to pay anything?

No. You do not have to pay anything. Under the settlement agreement, Weyerhaeuser Company Limited has agreed to pay the settlement class lawyers= legal fees, plus disbursements and taxes.

5. How can I get more information?

For more information about the settlement agreement, including the full text of the agreement, please visit http://vslo.skunk.ws or contact class counsel as follows:

Victory Square Law Office LLP, Attention: Zosia Hortsing
710 777 Hornby Street
Vancouver, BC V6Z 1S4
Telephone: 604-602 7993
Facsimile: 604-684-8427
email: [email protected]

Offices

Our office is located on unceded territory of the Skwxwu7mesh (Squamish), Tsleil-Waututh (Burrard), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.

Office

604 684 8421

Toll free

1 877 684 8421

Vancouver

710–777 Hornby Street
Vancouver, BC V6Z 1S4

Victoria

#301 – 1321 Blanshard Street

Victoria, BC V8W 0B6

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