This all started in about 1984 with the big strike Weyerhaeuser forced on everybody. When all was said and done, wages across the board had been axed up to 30%. You could no longer feed a family working in the brush. Then, Weyerhaeuser wondered why production fell and they could not keep hands. At Snoqualmie, (I left in '78) less than 40% of the woods crew was left 6 months after the strike.
Then, they started in on the contractors. It has been a long marathon to the bottom and after 40 years, here we are. In 11,12 and 13, I hauled for a father and son operation as a hobby job after retirement. Five years ago, the father wanted out, but he refused to sell to his son because it is only time until he is forced into bankruptcy. He told his son (38 at the time) to go back to wrenching in construction, that it is no good working in the woods.
I understand Hallback's frustration, but when you are just getting by, everybody is your enemy. It doesn't have to make sense, it is human nature to fight for the last scrap or crumb. All this is is the result of 40+ years of economic mismanagement done to the majority.