Workers reject AbitibiBowater restructuring plan

Workers at AbitibiBowater's paper mill in Grand Falls-Windsor have voted overwhelmingly to reject a restructuring plan, saying the company is asking for too much.

Representatives from the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union spent an hour Wednesday afternoon in the central Newfoundland community giving company managers the results of a vote by 90 per cent of the mill's unionized workers, who voted 99 per cent to reject the plan.

Gary Healey, the union's national representative, didn't release details, but said most of the workers saw the plan and cast their ballots last week. He said  they were in disbelief over the proposed changes.

George McDonald, president of CEP Local 63 representing 207 carpenters, labourers and finishers, said the company wants to contract out work and lay off more than half of the local's members.  

McDonald said the union told its members up front that the mill might be shut down, but 99 per cent of them voted to reject the plan. He said he's hopeful the company will get the message, and sit down and negotiate a new deal with the workers.   

The union leaders are heading to St. John's on Thursday to meet Natural Resources Minister Kathy Dunderdale.

The company said its restructuring plan is the only way to turn the mill into a money-making facility and keep its doors open.

Confidential documents obtained by CBC News last week revealed a section of Abitibi's restructuring plans. The document called for a reorganization of the woodlands division, including 22 job cuts.