More information needed on AbitibiBowater talks

There remain many unanswered questions related to the closure of the AbitibiBowater mill in Grand Falls-Windsor that must be addressed, says Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones. Under questioning in the House of Assembly earlier today, Natural Resources Minister Kathy Dunderdale stated that talks with the company had broken off and there was no further discussions planned in the immediate future.

“I was surprised to learn earlier today in the House of Assembly that talks with AbitibiBowater had broken off regarding severance and benefits for workers, and expropriation issues,” said Ms. Jones. “There are many mill workers and loggers who are concerned about the future of severance and benefits and they deserve answers. The minister has stated that government will not intervene in pension plans, but she also refused to discuss what options government may look at regarding severance issues. There are many questions that government hasn’t answered and the time has come for them to bring forward some information.

“AbitibiBowater could be facing bankruptcy protection later this week and it is still unclear as to what this will mean to workers. This is not a hypothetical situation; it is a very real threat that government appears to be unprepared to deal with. With the fact that the province is no longer talking with the company, what does this mean for workers at the mill and loggers who are trying to be included in any severance plans?