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Eddie Joyce, MHA for the District of Bay of Islands, says he is pleased
Natural Resources Minister Ed Byrne will be meeting with union officials in
Corner Brook next week in an effort to find a solution for the 25-30 loggers
who recently lost their jobs with Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited. Two
weeks ago, Natural Resources Minister Ed Byrne announced that an agreement
had been reached with Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited to ensure that a
certain amount of pulp wood would be purchased locally. Government promised
several incentives to the company, and in return the company promised they
would buy local wood. This agreement is supposed to ensure jobs remain with
logging contractors on the west coast and northern peninsula for the next 12
months. This agreement, however, did not include 25-30 unionized loggers at
the Corner Brook mill.
"I raised this issue two weeks ago, and again this morning in the Natural
Resources Estimates Committee," said Mr. Joyce. "I was pleased that Minister
Byrne heard these concerns and is planning to meet with the union in an
effort to find a resolution. The recent agreement between government and the
company, while addressing the short-term needs of workers on the northern
peninsula, will permit 210,000 cubic metres of wood to be shipped from the
mainland and has resulted in job losses with the company’s unionized
workforce.
"The unionized workers from Corner Brook were expecting the same
treatment as those loggers on the northern peninsula. Unfortunately, this
has not happened and they have been laid off. These workers deserve the same
treatment and this situation must be resolved. Government is providing
monetary incentives to the company to continue buying wood locally and
providing local employment. The Corner Brook employees should be included in
this deal.
"I encourage Minister Byrne to act diligently in this manner. The lives
of many families in the Corner Brook area rely on finding a successful
resolution to this issue. I hope next week’s meeting delivers successful
results for all involved."
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