Bowater workers need community’s support

Local 141 President Courtney Wentzell said the national union isn't asking for a bail out but loan guarantees at commercial rates to help the industry as a whole, to match tax credits provided in the United States, and to ensure companies such as AbitibiBowater are forced to keep pension plan commitments. The union is also accusing the Harper government of ignoring rural areas by focusing on the urban-based auto industry when tens of thousands of jobs are at stake in the forestry industry.

Wentzell said a "couple" of representatives from Bowater would most likely be sent to the rally. "In conjunction with that, we will have an information picket at the gate. We're inviting anyone interested to visit and we'll have some literature there as well."

Residents can sign a letter that will be sent to Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Wentzell said it is essential residents support - morally and through the campaign - their neighbours who work at Bowater. "We're not in dire straits like the mills in bankruptcy but we could be tomorrow and, at the end of the day, we're going to end up bargaining with a bankrupt company."

The reason Bowater isn't part of the bankruptcy proceedings is the company is 49 per cent owned by The Washington Post Company Ltd.

Before the rally, a meeting of both Locals - the other is Local 259 - and retirees will be held May 28 at the union hall at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. The topics include upcoming negotiations, the campaign, and the current AbitibiBowater situation. Wentzell said the Bowater plan is well funded compared to most and is protected by unique legislation in Nova Scotia. Locally, he said they primarily want to ensure no changes are made to this legislation. "There's a push on to change it again but we have to be careful of that."

He warned that although Bowater is not part of the current AbibitBowater bankruptcy proceedings, this could quickly change. "If they keep doing this to us - run us for four or five weeks and shut us down for four or five weeks while paying all the managers and suppliers - we'll pretty soon be in the same situation. If they keep doing what they're doing to us, how can we avoid it?"

He agreed newsprint consumption has declined dramatically and will continue to decline primarily, in North America, because of the internet. In the developing world, he said access to credit is the main problem.

As a result, he said newsprint production from all companies must be reduced by at least a million tonnes for the industry to survive. However, he said logic dictates Bowater Mersey will survive, if allowed to operate, when decisions are made about which plants will close. "I think we have the lowest transportation costs in the corporation and the highest quality sheet in the corporation."

He added the year-round, ice-free harbour, the plant is profitable when operating, the proximity to the international shipping terminal in Halifax Regional Municipality, the company isn't burdened by debt, and the mill is modern and efficient to the list. "We have a lot of good things going for us and should be in a position when they decide to close mills to remain open but we're also in an awful position because we keep losing people every time we shut down."

They recently lost "another smart man" to Michelin, he said for example. The mill is closing for a third time in the past five months from June 6 to July 16.

He said employees are still "baffled" by these closings. "Apparently, in Feb., we had the best month ever."

He reiterated he believes it involves the Quebec government's decision to support the company with a loan guarantee although nothing is in writing. Company officials say Quebec mills have and will be shut down as well. Wentzell said currently mills in Ont. and N.S. are being hit. "It's very suspicious but we don't have any proof."