The future of former workers of the Abitibi operation in Grand Falls – Windsor is even more uncertain with today’s announcement by the company that talks to restructure their debt have expired and been terminated.  The relaxed wait and see attitude of the provincial government is really worrisome and upsetting to say the least, says Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones.  Jones raised the issue during question period earlier today in the House of Assembly.

“Government is unwilling to provide solid answers to questions around severance and pensions that are of significant importance to the people in the Central region,” said Ms. Jones. “As a matter of fact, I am tired of this government’s lack of answers for these people that are facing hard times. The uncertainty of not knowing what to expect is even more difficult than knowing.  The government needs to get its act together and bring forth a real plan for the people affected.” It is not good enough to set by while these people could potentially loose thousands of dollars.”

Jones also expresses her disappointment in Mayor Rex Barnes’ comments that everything is okay because of a few extra dollars in the budget for infrastructure and road work.  Everything is not okay as is clearly evident by the number of calls to her office concerning this matter.  Jones says that she can certainly hear the panic in the voices of those concerned. Many of these workers are counting on their severance pay to help get them through these tough times until they can find some other way to support their families.  The default payments under Canadian laws that would guarantee $500.00 or $3000.00 payments does not grant any comfort to the workers and their families.