Abitibi's shivering in its boots...
Wouldn't you be if the Premier or Minister of Natural Resources threatened to take away your timber?
First of all - I have been a long time supporter of the loggers and paperworkers in this province and attended some pretty rowdy demonstrations - and yes even spoke from the back of a pick-up in Grand Falls-Windsor.
I have done whatever I could to speak openly about the plight of our paper mills - encouraged growth in Labrador in the mill or paper industry sectors. Long before Danny wanted to be Premier - I was belting out the lack of policy and planning in our forestry sector.
There was a time we had to fight the problem of land-use with good people from the west coast who knew we had to find better ways to manage our forests and find a balance between the environment and woods harvesting.
I am disappointed in the union at Grand Falls - they were not there when their brothers and sisters in Stehenville on the Port au Port Peninsula lost their jobs. I remember Grand Falls saying that they were not prepared to lose a machine to help save Stephenville. They sat silent while the Minister of Natural Resources - Kathy Dunderdale - and MHA's Hodder and Burke did nothing to encourage the hard work of the remaining local in Stephenville - to attract another operator.
Tonight I turn on the Evening News (CBC) and see the local rep making the case for Grand Falls - as Abitibi ups the stakes at that operation. Save 10 million or else!!! As far as I know the fight would have been much easier had the locals stood together - the successive government's of Grimes and Williams were successful in a divide and conquer strategy.
Having said that the workers at the mill - their families and communities in Central Newfoundland need our support - but this time we should be fighting for the life of Grand Falls-Windsor and the rebirth of Stephenville. They require our help as the government does not wield a big stick when threatening to do something to Abitibi should they shut down an operation.
I wonder is Kathy Dunderdale being "politically naive" when she makes a threat such as pulling timber licenses. We know the Premier was when he said the Stephenville Mill would not close "under his watch". We also now know the Premier was bluffing when he threatened to expropriate the mill. Make no mistake - Abitibi knows they are bluffing and Weaver's got Danny's number and probably the number of many Liberals as well. Unlike oil and gas - the pulp and paper sector is hurting and they are all looking to become more efficient. There are however opportunities in this sector in areas of new and emerging technology - new products and research.
I don't know how the internal guts of the union locals are working or how they worked during the Stephenville fiasco but I can suggest that all the workers and their families should fight and fight hard for the pulp and paper industry in our province - because the threats and stated commitments of our government have proven to be rhetoric - and not at all on the radar of our federal politicians.
I can tell you this that while Abitibi makes its plans at headquarters in Quebec - they are counting on Premier Williams to deliver that Lower Churchill Power to them in Ontario and Quebec - where the remainder of the pulp and paper sector will reside if we do not take real action.
Think about this come election day. Hi Randy "I'm a first time caller" and I'm running in ? district for the ? Party. Ask yourself - where were they while the Province needed people to speak up on issues of extreme importance to our kids and grand-kids not to mention our parents and grand-parents. Or better what Jerome Kennedy said after he lost Signal Hill - Quidi Vidi - he pointed out to Randy he wouldn't be calling anymore now.
All of us have lives and all of us are busy - but if you believe that any of these people have any more time than you or I do - to contribute on a regular basis on issues of general importance to the Province - they are not ready for public office and do not deserve your support.
Come on people do we really need to lose more industry to Quebec - Ontario - Alberta - Iceland - Norway - or even China?
You really have to think - ask the tough questions - why didn't you fix the problem when you were in government? Make no mistake the Stephenville Mill was in trouble when Grimes was there - I have had people ask me if I did anything about it. Sure - but it was not my call - it was the call of people like then Minister Kelvin Parsons and others who might be coming to your door over the next week or so.
14 comments:
Can you give us any behind-the-scene reasons, since you were in government at the time this blew up four or five years ago?
Didn't they listen to you?
The behind the scene reasons?
The people you elected did not complete a deal with Abitibi before the election.
Was it possible? Sure.
Was it my opinion that failing to deal with the mill - airport etc. would not be good politically or economically - yes.
You must understand the Cabinet made the call. You have to ask the past Minister's what happened.
I would really recommend you speak to Gerald Smith (a good man)and Kelvin Parsons and Roger Grimes what happened.
In my opinion a deal was possible with both the Grimes and the Williams administration. Until the voters start asking questions to those responsible for the failed discussions (Cabinet Premier) you will not get what you want or need in Stephenville.
Cabinet - either current or past had all the power in the world to make the deal. What you have to determine is what should be the Libs and PC's reward for the job they have done in Stephenville.
Actually Sue the Gov't in power in 2004 (Grimes)knew about the problem facing Stephenville's operations was power then wood. But nothing was done to rectify this problem till the last minute band-aid fix with Danny offering 150 million (which now we know was never there for the giving) I still believe that there is a hidden agenda behind this whole soap opera. And the more the time line continues I am afraid to say that Abitibi wanted a 2 machine operation on the island. You might laugh at this now but Abi might be talking to gov't about opening the Stephenville operation and keeping the wood rights. The time line seems to fit the scenario. JMHO....remember time heals all wounds.
Actually Sue??
Yes Grimes and all the MHA's knew that power was the problem. The question was asked why didn't they do anything about it. Ask the Cabinet..The cost would have been much less and the problem would not exist. There would always be attempts to improve efficiency - yep that's normal - and there were options on the table for new technology which would have been great for the future of Stephenville. My position was clear - FIX the Problem.
We aren't talking about Stephenville. We are talking about Grand Falls.
You were Roger Grimes policy advisor when the Grand Falls problem came up four or five years ago.
I want to know what you thought they should do. That's why I asked. I know what government did, but I want to hear from you what you suggested and why they didn't listen.
We have a history of not listening to good ideas and I just thought you'd give us some story about what actually happened.
You know - one would have to ask what you are asking? There is only so much I can say. The Grand Falls - Windsor file was not mine...and I worked only for 1 year not 2 - I think you may be confusing the files.
My public position on the mill has never changed - most of which time 12 years I was not employed by any government but fighting (voluntarily) for the people.
If we had this much concern expressed to our elected officials we would be in great shape. For some reason many are afraid to be so forthright with their questions when standing in front of a politician. These people will have earned a million bucks each from us.
How much time do you need to discuss the mill in Grand Falls Windsor? Should I spend a couple of hours a day - in a day when I have only a couple of hours to write on this non-commercial volunteer blog?
They pay you - you have the time. You pay them - they have the time. You see every time you ask your MHA a question they are paid to answer it.
The other thing is - you or "we" should go through the archives of Sue's Blog - review the 900 posts and you will get an idea where I'm coming from.
I have no pity for the workers of Grand Falls Mill. They could not wait to see the Stephenville Mill close, eventhough our mill was the much more superior mill, with the exception of power, which was the only thing keeping their mill afloat.
I seen their mouth piece on TV talking about the poor quality of wood that was trucked to Grand Falls from Stephenville. They don't know what to do with the wood because the can't make paper out of it. The mill in Stephenville could make top quality paper using this wood when mixed with other wood of reasonable quality. In fact, we also used Aspen in small proportions to make newsprint. This is a testiment to the operation and people who worked at the mill in Stephenville.
Who knows what Abitibi and the Government has cooked up together, but it seems at this point they intend to look after Grand Falls a lot better than they looked after Stephenville.
I cannot comment on any discussions I had with any Cabinet Member or the Premier at the time. That would be inappropriate.
I can say that my position has always been clear - it has not changed.
I also believe that energy and other natural resources should be used to create industry in the province.
I hope you understand that unlike Judy Foote I will not divulge information I received in a private conversation or while holding a professional position.
I do believe that most Newfoundlanders and Labradorians know my postion on natural resources.
So what do you think should be done in this case now that Stephenville has a problem?
Lesson for GFW -
As a former citizen of Stephenville I like to share what I learned throughout the whole Stephenville thing... and I hope Ron Smith, the GFW union members and the counsels and communites of GFW and area all read this blog.
I can sum up what I learned in one sentence:
Believe Abitibi Local Management, don't trust the government and ask questions yourselves don't believe rumours.
The mill in GFW has been given a directive save $10M. Look around at the people who are FIGHTING to keep that place alive and want to see it brought back as a flag ship, CASH COW that it once was. The people who work in that mill (mgmt and union) all have a vested interest in bettering the operation. Look at the investment that these folks have in the community. They don't want to give that up.
Mgmt are not puppets for Montreal. If they have a solid plan that is backed by the union - they'll be told to go ahead - do it.
Union get on board with the managers, work together... don't get on with crap like "this union doesn't have the stomach for lay offs" of course there will be reductions. (i assume we are talking $40 to $50 per ton)
Work with your memebers - who can retire? Severance incentives. Changes that help cushion the blow for people.
Everyone knows about the 30 reductions at S'ville - but noone out of work!!! Early retirement without re-filling. yes some would have had to take a smaller salary for a while but wasn't that more palitable then no salary at all??
Big issue in GFW is efficiency and quality paper - this will require millions in upgrades.
This cannot happen today - unless Bowater has millions to invest. But I don't think that will be their plan. Work first on survival. Then appeal for the capital investment.
If I was Ron Smith and Abitibi "local" management I would try to solve the GFW problems on our own and have as LITTLE to do with government as possible. (I think this was another problem in the S'ville situation) There was miscommunication all over the place which just breeds rumors and hearsay - which makes for unsuccessful negotiations.
I hope for every success for GFW. Becuase ultimately a good turn out in GFW will be a good thing for the whole province. Sometimes I think some of us NLders forget that.
It seems that the minister dunderdale has thrown the same threat that was given by byrne back in aug of 2005 and also agreed by all reps of both mills that if abitibi shuts down any paper machine the govt would pull all wood rights .only to tell the union rep from stephenville a short time after that this could never happened and it didnt, leaving some people standing alone and no proof it was actually said, he surely wasnt going to get the grandfalls reps to back him after it was announced that number seven would be left alone for know, so beware of all idle and foolish threats from the govt . Their mouths are fast forward and their brains are on rewind.
sue - with all due respect, your only answer on this issue, as with every single thing you ever right about is "fix the problem".
If you're so damned smart, what's the solution? Give away our power and increase rates to home-owners? Take $150 million of public money and give it to a great big corporation? Take away the timber rights and hope someone else from somewhere else moves to newfoundland to bless us with their investment? Wait for global warming to bring us the kind of climate we need to grow bamboo and eucalyptus so that we can provide cheaper more reliable fibre?
All you ever do is "rant and roar" you're therefore a contributory factor to everything that's wrong about politics in Newfoundland and Labrador. You're a damned mirror image of every other nonsense-spewing microphone-loving "fighting Newfoundlander". Grimes, Williams, Bill Rowe, Jim Morgan, etc. It's tiresome. Good for you. Maybe one day will build statues for all of you. But in the meantime, can anyone or will anyone tune down the "rant and roar" and move us to a chapter on "reality and reason" instead?
To anonymous who posted on Jan.29, Do you actually believe the local managers know what is going on at the head office in Montreal? They are sometimes left in the dark about what is going on just as much as we are.
I remember when Abitibi first joined up with Stone Consolidated. Our manager at the time, Gord Oldford, Mentioned at a safety meeting that he had no idea it was coming until it was done. It threw a monkey wrench into his plans at the time.
I believe that local management do all they can to make their mills profitable. The ultimate decision to keep a mill running lies with the head office in Montreal. If they decide to shut a mill or paper machine, then it is up to them, and only them, to reverse their decision. They don't answer to the local management, it is the local management that answers to head office in Montreal.
If head office in Montreal had gotten their way in April, 2005, the Stephenville mill would be running today, and Grandfalls would be better poised for the future by having an updated paper machine. Now, Stephenville is shut, and Grandfalls still has no updated machine.
As far as I am concerned, the deal announced by the government was supposed to save 300 direct jobs in Stephenville. Approx. 270 in mill and Approx. 30 at other businesses which supplied the mill. This is what was portrayed to the public in all the media. Anything less would be a giveaway. Now, if the Government had come out and said to the public " WE MADE A DEAL WITH ABITIBI, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THEY HAVE TO REDUCE THEIR WORKFORCE BY 30 JOBS" then that would have been the deal that we would have had to live with to save our mill.
Some would say that the Government had no right to dictate the amount of jobs Abitibi had to maintain, but this is B.S.. For example, If one party (Abitibi) went to another party (Government) looking for money, and the second party agreed to give the money, but only under certain conditions(maintaining a certain # of jobs) and the first party agreed to these terms, then that is a deal. Now, if the second party finds out that the first party is not living up to the conditions in the agreement, then the deal is either going to be enforced or terminated. This is not what happened with the Stephenville situation, which leads me to believe there was never any real intention to keep the mill going by Government or Abitibi at this point. There was a lot of smoke and mirrors taking place which kept everyone confused as to what was actually going on.
It seems to me that you forget or did not hear some of the things that were said by people from Grandfalls about the people of Stephenville. I agree that it would be a negative for NFLD as a whole if GF was downsized, but they get what they sow, no pity.
To Anonymous Feb 1 (first Post)
I would think that merger talks would be considered quite different to operational issues. If merger details get out then there are stock market implications. Prices and ratios previously agreed too could fluctuate wildly. So no I wouldn't expect senior managers at the mill level to know about that.
When I say "believe local mgmt" I talk from what I know and have seen from those local managers. A lot of who are in GFW now... Montreal is not going to micro manage a mill on a $10 million dollar reduction plan. They give the directive to the managers and their job is to come up with a viable plan to achieve this.
What I tried to get across in my post was that if the communities and union get on the same page and really try to do this - it will be possible.
But if the union or counsels get all in the media making it messy and confusing and a deal cannot be reached then YES absolutely Montreal will set a date and if things aren't done they'll make the decision and move on.
What I want to stress is that right now the power is with the parties closest to the issue (and most impacted by the issue)to fix it.
My lesson learned was don't squander this opportunity by attacking each other in the media, believing the govt and generally confusing issues with the union members and public.
Whether or not govt. "really" would have done a deal with S'ville - we'll never know. But I think there was a lot of wool being pulled over a lot of eyes making things "messy and confusing" (see what not do do above and who not to trust)
I hear ya on the reaping what you sow - I sure didn't appreciate the mill in s'ville being called "joey's bastard son" by people from GFW in the local paper and on open line. Nor did I like Bill (30 whatever) tying timber to production to #3 & #7 til 2010 with no such treatment for S'ville. But remember who was in govt back then fighting for this bill (RG and AT) and where they're votes came from and unfortunately for S'ville the forestry opposition critic's votes came from that area too.
But ultimately I don't think the actions of a few loud mouths should punish a region and a province.
But really the mess and confusion has already started. The minute Ron Smith said no stomach for layoffs - the bar was set - the expectation is just that - no layoffs. So how does he back paddle from that? Just like all the rhetoric about s'ville - not on my watch, shifting sand, possible new operator, no union busting, expropriation and on and on and on. That's why I say keep the govt out of it and stay out of the media until a plan is agreed to or you have exhausted every effort and you can't agree.
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