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Ainsworth workers ‘apprehensive’
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INAUGURAL FOX RUN
Union local head expects no significant changes However, if these employees are still doing their best work, and quality product continues to flow The recent announcement that out of the plant, LeBlanc says there Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (LP) is “no reason to worry” that the new is purchasing Ainsworth Lumber owners will make drastic changes. Co. Ltd. has its unionized workers “It is the global economy that in 100 Mile House wondering what makes a lot of those decisions for changes might be in store for them. us now, and we’ve seen that in Pulp, Paper and Woodworkers 2008/09.” of Canada Local No. 9 (PPWC9) That’s when the Ainsworth fampresident Chuck LeBlanc says its ily fell into a financial position that members at the Ainsworth OSB forced it to recapitalize, and the plant in 100 Mile House are in a financial groups that had supplied “wait-and-see” mode as to what capital over the previous decade the new structure will took a majority ownlook like. ership position. Now, we’re “At this point, we are part of an even However, LeBlanc not expecting major notes that prior larger group, changes to Ainsworth’s to this deal, New and that has operation in 100 Mile. got some plus- York-based firm They’ve got a 10-year Brookfield Asset es, too." forestry agreement that Management already – Chuck LeBlanc held a majority supplies them timber, with a plant that can share (54 per cent) produce certain grades of Ainsworth’s stocks of OSB for the overseas markets from other recent transactions. that customers like.” “Now, we’re part of an even larger For the workers, he explains, the group, and that has got some plusUnited States-based forestry giant es, too. LP is the unknown element at this “A large forest company like point. Louisiana-Pacific isn’t going to go Their biggest concern – and one down... big isn’t necessarily bad, LeBlanc adds he shares as some- until you start dealing with it on a one who lives and works in British personal level. But, they do have the Columbia – is having yet another resources to keep the place running foreign corporation taking own- as long as the conditions in 100 ership of a large company in the Mile are right.” province. Now, time will tell what the trans“You look at Ainsworth, as a fer of ownership will mean to local family-owned business six or seven PPWC9 members, he says. years ago to a multinational cor“Who the big boss is doesn’t really poration, and you lose that contact make a difference [to workers]. It’s with the ‘big boss’, really. But, it’s the guys you are dealing with on not just happening here; it’s hap- the floor, your middle managers pening everywhere right now. who are there every day, that is the “I think that’s the biggest concern apprehension – are we going to see – the head office at Louisiana- changes. Pacific. At the end of the day, do “And, we hope not. We think they really care that much about we’ve got a good group of managers 100 Mile House, and that plant, and there who are willing to work with their 135 workers?” the local and its membership.” Carole Rooney Free Press
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100 Mile House resident April Roberts was all smiles as she participated in the 33rd Annual Terry Fox Run. A longtime supporter, this was the first time Roberts has run in the event. Around 80 people participated in the fundraiser and they raised $1,600 for the cause.