RYAM postpones the layoff of 275 workers in Témiscaming until July 16

The layoff of 275 workers at the American company Rayonier Advanced Materials in Témiscaming has been postponed by two weeks. Activities were initially scheduled to be suspended as of July 2, but will continue until the 16th.

At the end of April, the forestry company Rayonier announced the closure of its cellulose production line for an indefinite period, an announcement that created a commotion in this municipality in southern Témiscamingue.

The prefect of the MRC of Témiscamingue, Claire Bolduc, hoped for more time to try to find solutions.

days to allow us to do all the required analyses. We will continue to do this work. It would have been interesting if the employees could have remained on the job while this work was being done. The company did not accept the request”,”text”:”What we really wanted was to have a period of 90 days to allow us to do all the required analyses. We will continue to do this work. It would have been interesting if the employees could have remained on the job while this work was being done. The company did not accept the request”}}”>What we wanted was to have a 90-day period to allow us to do all the required analyses. We will continue to do this work. It would have been interesting if the employees could remain on the job while this work was being done. The company did not accept the request.she says.

Ms. Bolduc does not appreciate the way the company deals with workers.

It’s unfortunate, because they need employees to empty the chip yard. […] The lack of consideration for people is what saddens me the most.the prefect stressed on the show It’s worth the return.

The transfer of employees to other plants of the company continues.

There are people behind the layoffs. In a factory, it doesn’t just run by robots, it’s not columns of numbers: it’s people, in there.

The prefect mentions that the vulnerability of the forestry industry greatly shakes the community in Témiscamingue.

People are worried and that’s normal. We remind them that the forestry industry is a cyclical industry, that there is a future in Témiscamingue and that there are difficult times. But it’s clear that when you experience it and you’re hit hard, you’re worried.she observes.

Claire Bolduc also invites citizens to rally behind the affected workers.

We still live on hope! said the mayor

According to the mayor of Témiscaming, Pierre Gingras, there are two reasons for this reprieve from the Rayonier forestry company.

or threeweeks if they really want to empty the chip pile. Rumor also had it that it was because [l’entreprise] wanted to get orders in for customers they hadn’t managed to get”,”text”:”I look at the pile of shavings for making the dough and I see that there are still some, so I think that there are maybe two or three more weeks if they really want to empty the pile of shavings. The rumor also said that it was because [l’entreprise] wanted to enter orders for customers that they had not managed to do”}}”>I look at the pile of shavings for making the dough and I see that there is still some, so I think that it will take maybe two or three weeks if they really want to empty the pile of shavings. The rumor also said that it was because [l’entreprise] wanted to enter orders for customers she had failed to satisfymaintains Pierre Gingras.

Two-week reprieve for Rayonier workers gives some hopesays Mr. Gingras, adding that he still does not know if the activities will continue.

times, we tell them the steps that have been taken and we tell them that before thinking about moving and looking elsewhere, there are always jobs. So take a little time, take a step back and see how the situation evolves”,”text”:”It’s always worrying when people lose their jobs and have to relocate, but we always send a positive message to the population. We met them twice, we tell them the steps that have been taken and we tell them that before thinking about moving and looking elsewhere, there are always jobs. So take a little time, take a step back and see how the situation evolves”}}”>It’s always worrying when people lose their jobs and have to find new jobs, but we always send a positive message to the population. We met with the employees twice, we told them the steps that have been taken and we told them that before thinking about moving and looking elsewhere, they should tell themselves that there are always jobs out there. So take a little time, take a step back and see how the situation evolves.says Pierre Gingras.

A committee is also in place to find solutions to avoid the closure of the plant.

At the time of writing, the union president, Stéphane Lefebvre, had not responded to our interview requests.

For his part, the member for Rouyn-Noranda–Témiscamingue, Daniel Bernard, reiterates his concerns. In Témiscamingue, the forestry issue is truly a major issue on which I put a lot of time and energy. […] If we find a way to restart the cellulose plant, it will be a major issue.he hopes.

With the collaboration of Athéna Couture, Lise Millette and Bianca Sickini-Joly