Cause for celebration

Whew!
Frankly, no word better sums up reaction to yesterday’s vote by members of the four local mill unions to accept a deal with Abitibi-Consolidated that offers the company long-term labour stability in return for a pledge to build a new bio-mass (hog fuel) boiler here.
Given all the mill closures and shutdowns that have ravaged the forest industry across Northern Ontario for the past two years, including word just Monday that 100 workers were being laid off (41 permanently) at Weyerhaeuser’s iLevel plant in Kenora, tension has been palpable around town lately—as if residents and merchants were holding their collective breath over whether our mill would survive.
The answer is now much closer to being a resounding yes.
Both sides deserve much applause for the deal. Union members agreed to extend their current labour contract past April 30, 2009, as well as to “accelerate” early retirements. The company, for its part, is agreeing to make at least a $60-million investment to boost the long-term viability of its mill here (pending such things as environmental assessments and final approval by the board of directors).
Of course, the benefits of this deal go well beyond mill workers keeping their jobs. It means continued employment for those who cut wood and truck it to town. It means people now willing to spend money on new cars, boats, appliances, and furniture. It means homes being bought, sold, and renovated.
And just as important, it means a town going forward with confidence and much potential.
True, all of the challenges facing Fort Frances won’t instantly evaporate with news of this deal. The mill workforce continues to be trimmed and other jobs are moving out of town—compounding the problem of youth “outmigration.” There’s still a doctor shortage and crumbling infrastructure. And our tourism and agriculture industries face uncertain futures. Still, the mill deal offers a solid foundation on which we can tackle these other pressing issues—and is cause for a major celebration. Indeed, Jan. 9, 2007 may well go down as one of the most important dates in the history of Fort Frances.