AbitibiBowater employees here were rewarded for their excellent on-the-job safety record last week—and they went home with a little extra spending power in their pockets.
The 700 employees each were given a $40 Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce gift certificate, which is expected to give local businesses a boost, Chamber manager Dawn Booth said.
“When I got the call to issue the cheques, I was really pleased that the money would be staying in town and helping our local partners,” she remarked.
It means roughly $30,000 is available to be spent at 50 businesses in town over the next few months, which really will help those feeling the pinch due to the plunging American dollar, Booth noted.
Last week’s perk used to be a normal reward for mill employees until it was halted.
Local mill manager John Harrison declined to comment today on whether or not the company has reinstated the safety program here.
The safety program originally was designed with local businesses in mind, Booth said.
“We hope if they do this again they will think of us in the future,” she added.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
