More Concessions Needed From Union @ Bowater Mersey

Significant job cuts are on the table following a meeting between union officials at Bowater Mersey and their parent company Abitibi Bowater. The two side met last week in Montreal. Union President Courtney Wentzell says the membership is faced with numerous concessions including a reduction in staff. The company also wants to lower the cost of labour from $97 a tonne of paper to $80. Wentzell stated last week that the union has already made big sacrifices. Just over 170 workers have already taken a 22 per cent wage cut in the last two years to help the mill stay competitive. Other concessions are in the works. Queens and Lunenburg are considering lowering municipal taxes for Bowater facilities in each county. Premier Darrell Dexter is expected to continue dialogue with representatives from the mill, union leaders and lumber producers to figure out what can be done to keep the mill open.