Unionized workers at Domtar’s Espanola pulp and paper mill say they’re “grappling” with this week’s news of a year-long shutdown of the northeastern Ontario operation. US-based Domtar announced the Espanola pulp and paper mill will be placed in an idled state for a year. The mill is the largest employer in the town of Espanola, population 5,000. …”I think many of us are trying to keep our hopes up and help each other out,” said Dean Houle, president of Local 156. “Forestry workers are used to ups and downs, but the longer we’re down, the harder it will be to get up and running again.” Unifor said meetings have been arranged in the coming days to discuss specifics with company officials. …”There were hopes this mill would find a buyer and find a way to continue its legacy as a vital part of the Ontario forestry sector.”

In Related Coverage: Unifor members devastated by lengthy Domtar Espanola curtailment