BRITISH COLUMBIA (From news reports) -- About 150 employees will be affected by a temporary shutdown at Western Forest Product's (WFP) sawmill in Chemainus, the company said on Friday.

The curtailment is set to begin on June 18 and span approximately one month, according to the union representing laid-off workers.

Western Forest Products says the curtailment is due to a "shortage of economically viable logs that fit the mill and market conditions."

Brian Butler, president of USW Local 1-1937, confirms 150 of its members working at the Chemainus sawmill have been advised of the curtailment.

"It is difficult for all of our members and their families to have the financial impact of this unexpected layoff. It is our hope that circumstances change and allow for an earlier recall," he said Friday.

WFP says it's monitoring the situation "closely" and that its restart date has not yet been decided. The company says it will tell affected employees when the start-up date will be "once conditions allow us to resume operations."

Butler, however, says the union has heard a return date is set for July 14.

"We continue to be concerned about the impacts on our members and the forest industry when the lack of harvesting permits is cited as a reason for layoffs," said Butler.

"We continue to urge the government to work with all parties to expedite the permitting process."

Western Forest Products has several sawmills on Vancouver Island, including in Cowichan Bay, Nanaimo, Chemainus, and two in the Ladysmith areas.

It also has other sawmills in Washington, as well as other worksites across Vancouver Island.