Head of the Communications, Energy and Paperworker’s Union in Atlantic Canada Max Michaud is calling the closure of…
Head of the Communications, Energy and Paperworker’s Union in Atlantic Canada Max Michaud is calling the closure of UPM’s Miramichi kraft mill a disaster. "There are some 400 families whose lives are directly affected and thousands more who will feel the impact of this closure," Michaud outlined.
Equally catastrophic for the New Brunswick economy, the CEP estimates the annual loss in community spending by workers left jobless to be in the ballpark of $24 million.
Michaud is calling on New Brunswick Permier Bernard Lord to meet with workers facing terminated employment because of the closure. He feels the assembly will help workers to understand what they can anticipate in terms of government support in their quest to convince UPM to keep the mill in operational mode. "We have many questions about this announcement," he said, "and we are not getting logical answers". Michaud contends the timing of the closure is ‘suspicious’ as it coincides with the union’s attempts at conciliation in bargaining with the company.
UPM informed local union officers of the decision at the same time as it issued a news release about the closure.
"We think there are fundamental wood source policy issues at play here," confirmed Brian Payne, National President of the CEP.
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