Nanaimo, BC — Workers at the Harmac pulp mill workforce face uncertainty after Pope & Talbot filed for bankruptcy …
Nanaimo, BC — Workers at the Harmac pulp mill workforce face uncertainty after Pope & Talbot filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Act, reports the Nanaimo News Bulletin.
Reporter Darrell Bellaart spoke to Arnie Bercov, Pulp and Paper Workers Union of Canada Local 8 first vice-president, who represents 420 unionized workers at the mill. “Obviously everybodys still pretty nervous,” said Bercov, who noted that current provincial policies limit the fibre supply for local mills. “It all comes down to getting favourable access to fibre,” he said.
While some employees are hoping that a buyer will rescue the mill, others are looking at jobs in mills as far away as Alberta and California, reports the New Bulletin. However, the mill is expected to keep operating through Christmas.
Dr. Paul Schure, a University of Victoria economics professor, notes that Pope & Talbot has sold three of its sawmills. “That shows some commitment to being out of bankruptcy soon, because theyre trying to generate cash,” he told the News Bulletin.
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