News for October, 2008
Mayor Speaks to Management and Unions on Abitibi Bowater Negotiations
29.10.2008 --On behalf of the town Council of Grand Falls-Windsor and the citizens we represent, we want to express our concern for our community in light of the negotiations between the unions and Abitibi Bowater. We do not know the complexities of their issues and we are not privy to the details of discussions that appear to be concluded. However, we have formed our own synopsis from the community's perspective.
In our estimation, the Abitibi Bowater mill operations is responsible for approximately 1,000 jobs in Central Newfoundland. These jobs include mill workers, forestry workers and secondary industry service jobs. These include metal workers, supply companies, contractors, trucking companies, consultants, etc. Our somewhat simplistic view is that the company is saying it will operate this mill at the same production levels if the workforce is restructured with 170 less workers in the system. If this is correct, then the impact on our community and Central Region will mean the 1,000 jobs become 800 jobs approximately.
From the community's perspective, maintaining 800 jobs will mean our town will continue to prosper, 800 families will continue to work and everyone will maintain values in their homes. We are led to believe that many of the 170 jobs are held by individuals who can retire by May 2009, which further reduces the impact on our community. The alternative is the loss of 1,000 jobs which will be devastating for everyone living here.
We implore both parties to consider the impact on the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor's citizens and the region as a whole when you are making your decisions. Many mills have been closed by Abitibi Bowater, but they have publicly stated that they can keep the Grand Falls-Windsor mill operating. We have heard through the media that there has been movement on some major issues. Council is not an influencing party to these negotiations, but we cannot pass up the opportunity to publicly request that you consider the history of 100 years of making paper in this town and the devastating effect the mill shutdown will have on the 1,000 families relying on the mill operating.
October 29, 2008
Town website re-launch
21.10.2008 -- The Town of Grand Falls-Windsor will re-launch its website: www.grandfallswindsor.com at the Tuesday evening Town Council meeting. The new site will have several new features including interactive maps and a business directory. Citizens and businesses are encouraged to review the new site and pass on their comments to the Town's Economic Development department at 489-0483.Construction on the rise in Grand Falls-Windsor
15.10.2008 --Councilor Roy Pitcher, Chair of the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor’s Engineering and Works committee, announced that residential and commercial construction as of the end of September, 2008 has increased substantially over the same period for 2007 in Grand Falls-Windsor. There are currently 114 residential units confirmed or in review as compared with 80 for the same period last year. Total construction value (Commercial and Residential) to date is over $ 22 million dollars as compared with $18 million for the same period in 2007.
Included in these figures are a total of 650 permits issued as compared to 586 for 2007. Apartment Buildings construction dollar figures improved from $1.5 million as of September, 2007 to $3.2 million in 2008.
Residential construction permits increased from 54 in 2007 to 68 in 2008, with dollar increases of over $11 million at the end of September, 2008 as compared with $8.9 million in 2007.