At least one union has reached a tentative deal with AbitibiBowater.
CEP Local 39 President Gary Bragnalo said Wednesday afternoon that the union he represents reached a tentative deal with the company. His 680 members have to vote on the deal by the end of the month.
The company made Wednesday a self-imposed deadline to get costs at its Thunder Bay plant in order. A letter of intent between the company and the unions, which was leaked to Dougall Media, states the mill has been identified as a location to be idled indefinitely unless a viable operating platform is created.
While there is still no word from the government or other unions involved with the mill, provincial Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle said he’s working to get the mill’s co-generation plant operational.
In order to complete a viable operating platform, AbitibiBowater officials have said they need to deal with labour, wood and energy costs.
AbitibiBowater applied in June for a contract to sell green power to Ontario from a condensing turbine.
The company expects to learn the outcome of that application sometime this month.
Ontario Power Authority spokesman Ben Chin said Monday that a meeting between OPA and AbitibiBowater was imminent. But he admitted then that the meeting would come after Wednesday's deadline.