Thursday, November 17, 2011

Razor-Thin Vote To Accept Concessions @ Bowater Mersey Mill in Brooklyn

Unionized workers at Bowater Mersey have narrowly voted to accept contract concessions that include cutting 80 full-time and 30 casual positions in an effort to save the paper mill. Members of CEP Local 141 and 259 voted 51.7 per cent in favour of accepting the concessions during a secret ballot Wednesday night. Union President Courtney Wentzell was clearly dejected as he delivered the news to a handful of his co-workers at the union hall in Brooklyn.  Meanwhile, Brian Godfrey has worked at the mill for over 30 years and says the result, if anything, means there's some hope. No word on when negotiations between the company and union will commence. Wentzell didn't take any questions from reporters or reveal how many of the union's 228 members voted.