I think the workers did the right thin. I know it's hard to give money back, but if the plant were to close, those guys would never finds jobs that pay what they are getting.

This is supposed to be good also for the mills Masardis/Ashland because they use the chips to make the pulp, but we will see!

FINALLY a local dares to stand up for itself, for what's right, and against its thug national bosses. I'm an ex-union representative, and have nothing but disgust for unions today. I am shocked that the Fraser folks came to their senses!!

I am not familar with negotiations but what exactly does the union leverage in this discussion? If your biggest customer is going elsewhere for your product or service you provide what exactly is it that you negotiate with managment? There are plenty of Lean and Six Sigma guru's that can come in there and make that mill so efficient it would make their heads spin. Lower direct labor costs will help immediately but how about reconstructing the entire value stream from tree farming to shipment delivery methods. Lots of low hanging fruit there? Maybe? Does managment invest any time in sales and operational planning to develop their sales objectives, cost structure and determine where they are heading in the next 3-18 months? Maybe? There are more options than labor negotiations to fix this ship. I have a lot of faith in Madawaska and Edmundston, the union has taken a good step. Congratulations.

Six Sigma guru's, haven't seen these people do anything but drive out our best workers and give themselves bonuses.

Six Sigma might drive out what is in someones opinion a 'best worker' but sometimes " we always done it this way" approach needs some help especially a financially strapped company. If there is standard metric that supports the " we always done it this way method' then you are prepared to continue business as usual. But what if your metric is calculated erroneously or is supporting the wrong behavior? Of course pride will get in the way of changing methodology. If you have a good 'guru' the worker( not the 6 sigma lean consultant) is ultimately reponsible for results, has the tools at his/her disposal, gets financial reward and recognition, the guru is a facilitator( Mable,can you believe the audacity of these consultants telling us how to do our jobs AND making fun of our potatoe growing industry, calling them silly taters, moudit anglais vas tant chez vous). I am not sure what bonuses the gurus give themselves especially if they are not on the payroll. And as far as driving the employees out, where are they going to get a new job? We are talking about saving the Mad-town Edmundston area here, no one person ego is at risk, the whole Valley is. FK to Van Buren, St. Agathe, and all the surrounding suburbs.