Unimin closure is unnecessary, warns Unifor

PETERBOROUGH, ON, Jan. 3, 2018 /CNW/ - One of the region's largest employers announced the unjustified closure of the Nephton mine near Havelock just days before Christmas.

"Shutting the Nephton mining operation simply does not make sense, and this decision will inevitably haunt Unimin," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. "Worse, this announcement comes with no commitment of job protection for the hundreds of affected families."

The company announced that it would be closing the Nephton nepheline pit by 2020. Contrary to previous assurances from Unimin that there would be no job losses, the company is now reluctant to go on the record about the impact on the future of more than 100 jobs at the nepheline pit.

Unifor Local 306-O represents more than 90 workers onsite. The union says that it is likely the mine will need to be re-opened in the future, so upgrading the Nephton facilities would be better for the long term.

"Unimin would be smart to invest in the Nephton facilities and ensure its future profitability, instead of leaving this community and these workers behind," said Nathan White, president of Unifor Local 306-O. "The union will continue to communicate this with the company, and work towards a resolution that protects unionized jobs."

The Peterborough area has been hit hard recently by other closures, including a large General Electric facility.

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

SOURCE Unifor