Federal NDP leader meets with workers

Federal NDP leader Jack Layton came down to Brooklyn on Oct. 2 to ask AbitibiBowater employees what they would like to see done from Ottawa.

The situation with Mill has made it to Ottawa, says Layton, and they recognized this is very serious to the community. Layton wanted to meet the people they are fighting on behalf of at the House of Commons, to hear their concerns and thoughts on the government’s role. “The worker’s have put a brave face on a difficult situation. It’s very clear they believe in the plant, they believe in the work they are doing, and have a reputation for producing a high quality product.”

Layton says he spoke with one worker, whose grandfather worked for the Mill 40 years, his father for 35 years and the worker himself was in his 30th year. Layton says this is the first time in three generations that one of them had had to turn to EI. “It seems to me AbitibiBowater is trying to play workers from other plants against each other all across the country. When a company comes in buying up Canadian businesses, they should be treating people with more respect.”

He add just because the company made mistakes doesn’t mean they should cut productivity at the expense of the workers

There were plenty of other concerns to go around too. The current shutdown schedule with five weeks on and five weeks off is playing havoc with the worker’s EI claims, and severance set aside to help them through tough times is clawed back by EI and they end up without that cushion.

The two-week penalty at beginning of an EI claim means workers start off from behind too, he says. “Your food bills and mortgage don’t take a two week holiday when you loose your job.”

Layton says there are 12 bills before the House of Commons on EI reforms, and they are going to push the Harper government to take action. Already, he says, they are making progress with the Harper government, and getting close to securing $1billion to help the unemployed.

Layton also renewed his commitment to make parliament work. “I think people would rather have us do that than spend $300 million on another election.”

Later on in the afternoon, Layton was going to meet another former Queens Co. resident, Darrell Dexter, to explore other avenues to help the workers.

What he will take back to Ottawa, he says, is the worker’s stories, and how three generations that have built our country now need the federal government’s help.

nmoase@theadvance.ca