Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union (CEP) announced it has reached a deal with Resolute Forest Products to restart a Fort Frances paper machine this summer.
A CEP news release said Locals 92 and 306 reached an agreement to man the mill's No. 7 paper machine for eight to 12 weeks starting July 17.
About 240 employees were laid off last February when the Montreal-based forest producer mothballed the kraft mill and a paper machine.
“We are pleased to see over 40 CEP Members in Fort Frances get recalled for up to two or three months when No. 7 Paper Machine re-starts in mid-July,” said CEP National Representative Stephen Boon, but some serious concerns arose due to the temporary nature of this recall."
There were manning issues since many laid off employees found alternative work elsewhere while awaiting to see how what would happen with the mill.
“We could not agree to force a laid off member to quit a new job to come back to the mill for temporary work and so through ongoing discussions with Resolute, both CEP Locals have now negotiated a recall protocol...that not only confirms all provisions of the contract apply for this re-start, but it also ensures the recall option for our laid off members is voluntary and does not negatively impact their seniority, future recall rights or severance entitlements."
