In a press release published on Friday, the union reports the presence of 13 scabs, citing a report to the Labor Minister.

The Administrative Labor Court is scheduled to hear the Alma National Union of Pulp and Paper Workers’ (SNTTPP) complaint in the case on August 29.

The 230 unionized workers at the Alma pulp and paper maker have been on the job since Jan^um May. A lockout was declared by the employer on July 4th. The union members had previously voted for a strike order.

The union has criticized the employer for “trying to enforce a collective agreement that dates back more than a year and was signed in the other provinces of eastern Canada” and for refusing to participate in negotiations.

“As if that wasn’t enough, the company used ‘scabs’ in violation of the law. “These facts speak volumes about the contemptuous and unconcerned attitude of Resolute Forest Products leaders toward the people who run their facility,” said Daniel Bilodeau, Vice President of Alma SNTTPP.

Vice-President of the Central Council of National Unions of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean-CSN, Marie-Pier Ouellet, points out that the reality of workers in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean is not the same as that of workers in the Maritimes and Ontario’s.

In an email to The Canadian Press, Resolute Forest Products said, “It is inappropriate for Resolute to comment publicly on a situation affecting labor relationships with our employees.”

“Any labor dispute is difficult for the parties involved and we always hope to reach an agreement as soon as possible,” adds David Marshall, senior director, sustainability and public affairs, Resolute Forest Products.