Nearly half of the unionized workforce at a Lunenburg County recycling plant are struggling to come to grips after receiving pink slips this week. Seventeen full-time employees at the Whynott's Settlement's plant were given their notice on Wednesday after their jobs were moved to Scotia Recycling of Kentville. The decision was finalized after three municipal units voted to shut down the line that sorts blue bags at the facility. They included the Municipality of Lunenburg and towns of Mahone Bay and Bridgewater. Marilyn Crook, president of the Canadian Auto Workers union, Local 1944 says it's a difficult time for those involved.
Meanwhile, Municipality of Lunenburg mayor Don Downe called it an extremely tough decision. He says the facility is in need of roughly $2.5 million in upgrades. The contract with Scotia Recycling will save the municipalities $2.7 million over the life of the ten year contract.
