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Norampac Trenton mill to close
Posted 1 year ago
Thu, Apr 12th, '12 - 3:20 pm
8:45 PM UPDATE: In an interview with our newsroom, President Marc-Andre Depin of Norampac said the company had made a 4 year contract offer to the workers. It would give them 2.5% in the first year, and 2% in each of the 3 other years. Depin said the CEP union was seeking a contract that had other issues as well. Depin says he’d be willing to reconsider the closing if the union members accept the latest offer, and if they work at the plant with what he called “a positive attitude.”
Northumberland-Quinte West MPP Rob Milligan told our newsroom ”it’s not a done deal” as far as he’s concerned. Milligan says he’ll try to get the 2 parties together to work out the differences.
Norampac in Trenton is closing.
The plant employs nearly 130 people.
Cascades Incorporated made the announcement this afternoon after the workers’ union rejected the corporation’s final contract offer on Tuesday following a year of meetings and negotiations.
The president of Norampac says, “the Trenton mill has significant losses over the years”… and the corporation is “deeply disappointed that the Norampac Trenton employees have turned down a positive and reasonable offer.”
Quinte West Mayor John Williams says he met with President Marc-André Dépin earlier this week and it was “unfortunate” some type of agreement couldn’t be reached. He says it’s not only the 130 jobs at the mill, but also about 300 jobs in the local forestry industry.
The mill’s closure will happen no later than June 1, 2012.
Norampac produces corrugated cardboard and has been a customer of local wood suppliers.
In past years, the local Norampac plant received millions of dollars in funding from the provincial and federal governments.
Absolutely no surprise here!
Unions are wonderful.
So where are they now?
In this economy, these people are fortunate to have a job, along with benefits, pension, and wage increases over 4 years. I’ll bet when their severance runs out, EI runs out and welfare cuts them off, they’ll wish they had taken that agreement….
I would think that any raise would be preferable to unemployment!Myself & co-workers have not had raises in 6 yrs now to keep the company running & open. Another black mark for unions and business leaving our community. Norampac workers should be ashamed.
When they find themselves working at Tim Hortons, and receive an honourable 10 cent raise on December 31st (as someone I know did)…2.5% with subsequent 2% over another 3yrs is like winning the lottery! Give your heads a shake people!!!
I sure won’t miss the smell of that place! I live close to the plant and in the summer you can actually taste the emissions from there! I call bull! they won’t close, they are just trying to force a settlement! Where is our Mayor in all this? I won’t miss the smell but I agree that losing that many well paid jobs here is crazy!
They wont find themselves at tim hortans in search of an honourable 10 cent raise. otherwise your friend likely would of been working for norampac making whatever they make right?
Pulp and paper is no cake walk, but in trying times a job is a job correct? 2% wage increase is hefty, and if it were as simple as that im sure those employees would have gladly signed. Most people who find themselves offended by the rejected offer are those likely making minimum wage. And minimum wage for a reason. If you want more money, go find it go work for it.
Job blackmail is real, and unfortunately that is what Marc Andre Depin is trying to enforce at the trenton facility “In my oppinion”. A man like that who runs a company that usually frowns upon unions does not like when an equal being confronts him with concern or question. well I have a question. If the employees do not want your 2% wage increase, why the long face? ;)
I say this…
If your going to close the place… Close the place. Otherwise Invest what you say you are prepared to and continue to bring jobs and futures to the people of quinte west. In the process, perhaps account for some of the wasted investments and projects and turn things around. The employees are suffering for bad executive decisions.