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Members of Unifor Local 29 at the Twin Rivers Paper Company in Edmundston, New Brunswick are working with a sister mill in Madawaska, Maine, to respond to the need for paper products to combat COVID-19. These mills are working together to develop a fine pulp in Edmundston and paper product in Madawaska. These are then sent to a New York mill and other production facilities to produce materials for non-medical masks in addition to the disposable sanitizing wipe material the company already produces.
“Watching these essential workplaces turn on a dime to deliver much-needed supplies during this crisis is a real bright spot and source of hope,” said Jerry Dias, National President. “Unifor members at Twin Rivers should be proud of the work they’re doing to help create much-needed protective equipment and I want to thank them personally for their contributions.”
Unifor represents nearly 300 workers at the mill. The company has been working to test the new materials and work with its network of mills along the Eastern United States and Canada to respond to the pandemic.
“It feels good to help, in whatever way we can. Our first priority is the safety of our members, the community and frontline workers” said Dave Boucher, President of Local 29. “There’s a lot of uncertainty out there right now and great need for protective equipment, so going to work every day feels better when you know you’re making a difference for people.”
Forestry workers across Canada continue to work to provide essential products to Canadians from everyday household tissues and toilet paper, to non-medical masks and wipes. Watch a forestry worker talk about their experience as an essential worker during the pandemic on the Unifor Facebook page.
Are you an essential worker? Send a video with your experiences to @email.
