Bemidji Lumber Mill Ignores Reports of Sexual Harassment

PotlatchDeltic, a leading timberland owner and a top 10 manufacturer of lumber in the United States, received multiple complaints of sexual harassment and other human rights violations but failed to take meaningful action.  At least four separate cases involving women at the Bemidji lumber mill were ignored, including reports of physical, verbal, and electronic sexual harassment.

An anonymous complaint was later filed with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), prompting an investigation. The FSC determined that Bemidji management had suppressed reports of harassment because the allegations involved managers and their close associates. As a result, the FSC issued a major nonconformance and terminated PotlatchDeltic’s certification.

Further reports of racist behavior by management were also made at PotlatchDeltic’s mills in Arkansas, Michigan, and Minnesota. These incidents led to an investigation by the (Minnesota President Cynthia Wilson) NAACP, which documented additional civil rights concerns within the company’s southern operations.

In line with FSC’s complaint-handling procedures, this matter was directed to Bureau Veritas Certification Holding as the responsible Certification Body for further investigation and resolution.  After initial analysis, Bureau Veritas determined an independent investigator from the Bureau Veritas North America office would be required.  A special investigation was conducted by their most experienced forestry auditor. 

This activity included detailed analysis of the allegations, stakeholders’ interviews, cross-check with all the affected parties, including certificate holder key personnel and specialized agencies dealing the workers’ rights.  As a result of the investigation undertaken, a major non-conformity was issued against the clause 7.4 of the FSC standard FSC-STD-40-004. Immediate suspension of the certificate was recommended by the investigator due to direct threat to the credibility, image and reputation of FSC and Bureau Veritas.

The same month the FSC’s termination decision was issued, PotlatchDeltic announced plans to merge with a larger forest products company.  Earlier this year, when PotlatchDeltic’s legal firm, Littler Mendelson, appealed the FSC decision.