Aspen Planers and United Steelworkers are starting from scratch to reach an agreement that could restart mills in Savona and Lillooet.

Marty Gibbons, president of Local 1-417, said Friday the B.C. Labour Relations Board agreed with the company it should not be tied to the Interior Forest Labour Relations Association (IFLRA) group bargaining along with other forestry firms.

Instead, Aspen Planers will bargain on its own. And company spokesman David Gray said Aspen Planers is looking for a deal that will make the Savona concrete-forming panel and its Lillooet feed mill economical.

He would not detail what concessions the company is seeking.

“Our focus is getting an agreement that allows us to start. That’s our whole purpose.”

Aspen Planers purchased the mill in December from Ainsworth Lumber. It had been closed for six months.

Gray said Aspen Planers believes there is still a market “but we’ll have to claw our way back into the marketplace.”

He also warned the mills must operate differently.

“It’s not based on what’s been done in past.”

Gibbons said Aspen Planers has rejected a pattern deal reached with Canfor Corp. this year, despite what he sees as significant benefits. One of them is deferral of some wages until a certain profit margin is reached.

“My membership is angry with the process of the company getting out of the IFLRA. Our membership wants to go back. The direction to me is not at any cost.”