N.L. minister meets with union, company over Grand Falls-Windsor paper mill

Newfoundland  and Labrador's natural resources minister visited Grand Falls-Windsor on Monday to meet with AbitibiBowater and affected unions about the impending restructuring of the company's paper mill, but she still wasn't talking publicly about the details of the plan.

Unconfirmed reports last week said up to 150 jobs would be cut. Kathy Dunderdale, who saw AbitibiBowater's plans last week, declined to confirm the number at the request of the union.

However she said if AbitibiBowater's plan proceeds as presented, it will have serious implications for the region and affect people in the forestry industry the most.

While Dunderdale said she is not happy with what she saw in the plan, she added it's not her place to recommend whether or not the union approves the plan. She told reporters she plans to meet with the union again next week.

In the meantime, company officials maintain that changes have to happen to cut operating costs and keep the mill open.  

AbitibiBowater spokesperson Jean-Phillippe Cote, who travelled from Montreal for Monday's meeting, said things went well in that both sides are meeting and talking.  

While the government and the union have called on the company to include investment in their proposal, Cote said AbitibiBowater has been investing in the mill.

He said  the company has spent $80 million in the last decade alone, and that should show all stakeholders that they want to keep the Grand Falls-Windsor operation open and competitive.