Danny Williams, the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, is promising severance and other benefits to laid-off workers at the now-closed Grand Falls-Windsor AbitibiBowater mill.

Severance and some early retirement benefits will be provided to unionized and non-unionized mill workers, as well as those involved in logging operations.

“Many of these individuals have given a lifetime of service to AbitibiBowater and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect in the face of this closure,” Danny Williams said in his announcement this morning.

“In December of last year our government repatriated certain assets related to this mill as a result of the company having broken their contract to operate in this province. It is now only appropriate and fair that the workers are not left behind and disadvantaged by Abitibi’s decision to close this operation.

“Given the unique circumstances of government having expropriated related assets, it is now proper and right that workers receive benefits from this repatriation particularly in the face of the company’s inaction.”

Source:
Province to provide financial aid to displaced mill, forestry workers: Premier (The Telegram)
Severance promised to laid-off AbitibiBowater workers (CTV)

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