Workers closing in on deal to purchase the Pine Falls mill

A group of former workers of the idled Tembec paper mill in Pine Falls, Manitoba are closing in on a deal to take over the mill.

Tembec wants a deal as soon as possible. The employees and leaders of the community are still waiting to see the results of a feasibility study on the viability of the purchasing the plant. That report is expected this week.

Cam Sokoloski, a local union leader whose members form part of the buyout group, along with former management employees, said he's optimistic an agreement can be reached.

"Tembec wants us to get the deal done, and we're doing everything we can to facilitate Tembec's request to push ahead," he said recently.

J.P. Bradette, a former Tembec executive, is also leading a group interested in buying the plant. He has said his offer is contingent on lowering labour costs, and unionized workers have refused to hitch their wagon to him -- even though employees would be given shares in the company, under his plan.

Source:

Workers closing in on deal to buy idle Pine Falls mill (Winnipeg Free Press)