NCP Workers Waiting for Canfor Recommendations On Plant's Future
By 250 News
Monday, July 07, 2008 03:52 AM
Prince George, B.C.- Workers who lost their jobs when the North Central Plywood plant burned to the ground in late May , are keeping their fingers crossed Canfor’s executive will recommend the plant be rebuilt.
Recommendations on the future plans for the plant are expected to be presented to the Board of Directors at the end of this month, prior to the release of the 2nd quarter results. Canfor’s Vice President Forestry and the Environment, Ken Higginbotham says the company’s executive team has been weighing all the factors including market demand, and more importantly, availability of logs suitable for peeling.
More than 200 members of the Pulp Paper and Woodworkers of Canada Local 25 have been impacted by the destruction of the plant. Local 25 President Jymm Kennedy says most of the plant workers don’t qualify for the retirement bridging programs launched by the province as the average age is about 42 and the program is aimed at those who are 55. The most viable options for the NCP workers have been employment insurance, educational programs, or leaving the area to find work.
Still, even if Canfor recommends rebuilding the plant, the company says it would take 18 months to have one up and running. Benefits will have run out long before the workers would be called back to their jobs.
Previous Story - Next Story
Email
Print
Facebook
Twitter
Digg
Del.icio.usReturn to Home
Posted by: Kevin Parkinson on July 7 2008 4:50 PM