Premier Danny Williams has taken on prime ministers and oil executives. He's bulldozed his way through each conflict, helping bolster his staggering popularity in Newfoundland and Labrador.
But his latest gambit - rushing through legislation to seize many of AbitibiBowater's assets in the province after the paper giant announced its mill would close - promises to have effects that reverberate far beyond Newfoundland.
A spokesman for AbitibiBowater said the company would be seeking "a very, very significant sum of money" for its assets, money for which Ottawa could be responsible as signatory to the North American free-trade agreement.
Stumble It!
He is discussing taking the hydro dams that power the mill - with fair compensation. But hasn't done that.
"Williams has said Abitibi might be compensated for the hydro facilities, which also sell electricity to the provincial grid, but it has not said how much money might be involved.
The company says it had no choice but to shut down the Newfoundland newsprint mill because it is losing money and workers had refused to agree to cost-cutting measures. The mill employs about 750 workers.
The company repeated on Friday its offer to work with the province on the future of its assets. Newfoundland has not proposed to take over the mill property itself."
http://uk.reuters.com/article/rbssIndus ... dChannel=0
So, workers don't agree to cutbacks, Abitibi closes the mill and sells it in a few years - negating workers contracts. But Premier Williams got out ahead of them, and now they are pissed.
It's too bad other provinces and the country don't have a Danny Williams, its clear that such a politician would be welcome by the people.