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Mackenzie workers sign employment agreement with B.C. government

The unionized workers at the Mackenzie pulp mill in British Columbia have signed an employment agreement with Macke…

The unionized workers at the Mackenzie pulp mill in British Columbia have signed an employment agreement with Mackenzie Pulp Mill Environmental Management Inc., a company created by the B.C. government.

On Friday, the Prince George Citizen reported that, while the long-term future of the mill is still in question, the company was created in order to pay the remaining workers who have stayed on-site to keep the mill warm and prevent chemical spills. The signed agreement runs until the beginning of August and reportedly ensures the 38 unionized workers will not face any layoffs until May 15.

The province has been in control of the mill since January after the owner, Edmonton-based Worthington Industries, stopped paying the workers and tried to shut the mill cold. Worthington purchased the former Pope & Talbot mill in September 2008 and had allegedly planned to restart it, but the province has not had recent contact with the company, the Prince George Citizen article stated.

The province is also reportedly consulting with experts on how to remove the 1.5 million litres of chlorine dioxide from the site.

Approximately 260 workers were employed at the Mackenzie mill before it was shut down.