Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Resolute To Close Mill

Resolute Forest Products is making it official.

The company has announced it is permanently closing its idled pulp and paper mill in Fort Frances.

Spokesperson Xavier Van Chau says all efforts to restart the mill in some way were simply exhausted.

The company those is still looking at potential opportunities for its biomass boiler.

The decision comes just three months after the last operation paper machine was halted in January.

The remaining 50 employees working since will be offered job opportunities with Resolute's other operations.

One of the unions representing workers at the Fort Frances mill is expressing disappointment in the company's closure decision.

Unifor's Stephen Boon says workers agreed four years ago to concessions aimed at helping the company restructure and keep the mill profitable.

He says the union will now ensure that Resolute follows through on its commitment to provide new job opportunities for affected employees.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty calls the closure news devastating.

Rafferty says he's willing to work to secure the pensions and severance pay for affected workers and community assistance as required by the town.