Allegations Of Sexual Harassment, Possible BIG Problems For Large Business With Bemidji Plant

BEMIDJI, MN (trfnews.i234.me) Allegations of sexual harassment at the PotlatchDeltic, Bemidji Lumber Mill could mean some big sales problems for that company that has plants across America.
Bob Carlson here some uh 5 miles east of Baiji where one of the area’s largest employers has found itself in hot water. Uh Pont Latch Deltic, the Baiji lumber mill is facing allegations of sexual harassment. Pot Latch Deltic owns 2.1 million acres of timberlands in seven states. It’s one of the leading lumber producers in the world. It operates six sawmills along with residential and community real estate development. It has uh around 1,400 employees at its plant and some 120 here at Baiji. At issue are allegations of sexual harassment of female employees at this Bamichi plant. I talked with one of the whistleblowers in their complaint who said it involves allegations of female employees receiving inappropriate photos, hands on them, and other unsettling and comments by other employees of the plant. It’s all led to two agencies that uh control the forest stewardship council certification uh with a recommendation to pull the company’s FSC certification. Without that certification, its preferred preferred buyers like Menards, Lowe’s, and Home Depot likely would no longer purchase lumber from them. The company has made several appeals of this ruling that were denied. A final ruling is expected at the end of August. Now, this reaction from Anatma, a spokesperson for Pot Latch Deltic out of the state of Washington. uh quote, “The company is appealing this action and the recommended outcome is currently on hold.” One of the grounds for the company’s appeal is a lack of due process afforded the company by Bureau Veritis as it took this action. The certificate at issue does not apply to our facility in Minnesota, which employs approximately 115 team members and contributes meaningfully to the state and the local Biji Baiji community.” unquote. However, I just talked with a whistleblower who says this action does involve the Bamichi plant and we’ll keep you updated as all this moves forward. I’m Bob Carlson reporting for newsw.tv.