CORNER BROOK — Premier Kathy Dunderdale will be meeting with the man who holds the future of Corner Brook Pulp and Paper in his hands Wednesday afternoon.
The Office of the Premier has confirmed that Joseph Kruger, chief executive officer of Kruger Inc. — the paper mill’s Montreal-based parent company, will be meeting with Dunderdale in St. John’s.
Dunderdale was not available for an interview about the meeting Monday, but an emailed response from her office indicated the purpose of the recently scheduled meeting was to discuss “the continued viability of the mill and the way forward.”
The future of the mill has been a hot topic since May 18, when it was announced the mill’s unionized workers had rejected the company’s request for relief measures to help replenish the pension fund for both retired and current workers.
The company had said it needed a five-year extension to pay its share into the pension fund and a rejection of its proposal could put the mill’s future in jeopardy.
Natural Resources Minister Jerome Kennedy has indicated previously that he has been in contact with Joe Kruger and that the provincial government would not be able to provide the mill assistance until the company and its workers can come to some sort of agreement on the long-term sustainability of the operation.
Can't...breathe...gotta...hold on....gotta....save mill.....arrrggghhhh.