MARTELL, CA - SierraPine employees in Martell, CA went on strike last week, the wood products company reports. Represented by Carpenters Local 2927, the workers began striking August 23 without notice, according to a statement from Sierra Pine.

The lumber products firm says it has been engaged in collective bargaining for five months, and the parties have engaged a mediator. SierraPine says it presented its "last, best and final" contract offer August 17, at the union's request. Union president Tony Garcia told the Scramento bee the offer included a 2 percent wage reduction, which was unacceptable to the workers.

SierraPine says it intends to continue operating during the strike. "We hope it is short-lived," said said SierraPine spokesperson Ric Alli. The composite panel manufacture employs 60 union and 17 non-union employees in Martell, CA, producing medium density fiberboard and particleboard.