Last November, Unifor Local 10-b, Unifor National and Domtar announced their intention to jointly commit $1 million over the next five years to Royal Inland Hospital’s Patient Care Tower Project. As a follow-up, Unifor members who work at Progressive Rubber Industries Inc. (PRI) and PRI itself are contributing to this $1 million commitment. To date, Unifor (PRI) members have donated $3,000 and PRI has matched this donation for a current total of $6,000.

According to Rene Pellerin, Unifor 10-b President (Domtar), “Our members at Domtar were very keen to participate in this incredible donation to RIH Foundation, and now we are expanding to include an additional donation from Unifor members at PRI. It is a great example of the union coming together in solidarity with the employers for a common cause. We all appreciate the local community and are pleased to be able to give back through our combined support of the local hospital.”

“This initiative is a really heart-warming example of how different businesses and organization, which might not normally partner with one another, can work together for a common cause. We are proud to be a part of this great fundraising effort that benefits not only the individual employees, but the entire community, and hope that this will be an example for other local businesses,” said Jeff Winger, VP of Manufacturing (PRI).

Jean Claude Allaire, Mill Manager at Domtar, who was part of the initial announcement, commented, “It is great for us  to be able to work collaboratively, not only with Unifor but now with PRI, to support the construction of the much-needed new tower at RIH. Kamloops is a great community that really comes together, particularly in times of need.”

The current donation will be used to purchase health care equipment in the new tower, scheduled for completion in 2022.