Canada’s largest private sector union is asking for an urgent meeting with New Brunswick’s energy minister.
Unifor says changes to how NB Power prices electricity were put in place without talking to workers and communities that stand to lose the most, and it’s putting industrial jobs at risk.
“Decisions that could shut down production and cost workers their jobs were made without hearing from the people affected,” said national president Lana Payne. “That’s unacceptable.”
In April, the Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) allowed NB Power to sell its surplus power outside the province, including to American buyers.
As a result, the supply of what Unifor described as lower-cost “interruptible” power for large industrial employers in New Brunswickers has been reduced, and the price increased.
Energy Minister René Legacy told the legislature the government will wait for the EUB to finish a review before taking action.
But Unifor said that process could weeks or months, time workers may not have.
“Behind every one of these workplaces are workers paying mortgages, raising kids and keeping small towns going,” said Atlantic regional director Jennifer Murray.
“These are good-paying jobs, and when they disappear, they don’t come back.”
Unifor has asked the province to suspend the changes until the EUB can take another look.
In a letter to the minister, Murray said the EUB decision is a job killer.
“We cannot hide the fact that when industrial operations become uncompetitive, companies make difficult decisions about production, investment, and ultimately whether they can continue operating in New Brunswick,” she wrote. “The result can be reduced production, layoffs, permanent closures, and the loss of economic opportunities that may never return.”
