McNeil maintaining optimism despite Michelin job cuts
Posted Mar 4, 2014 07:19:05 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
PICTOU, N.S. – Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil says he sees some silver linings in the tough economic news that Michelin is going to drop 500 jobs at its Pictou County factory.
The company says it is phasing out its small tire production facility and will offer transfers or severance packages to half the employees over the next year and half.
The Granton factory currently employs one-thousand workers.
Andy Thompson, the deputy warden of Pictou County, says the job cuts are a devastating blow to its rural economy.
But McNeil says he’s encouraged that Michelin is providing workers the chance to remain with the company if they accept a transfer to Waterville or Bridgewater factories.
The premier says the creation of a Michelin development fund will help provide low-interest financing to startups in the Pictou County area.
And he’s optimistic the province might be able to convince Michelin to find other uses for the empty portions of the factory in Granton.
Thompson says the municipal council will meet with Michelin soon to find out more details about the tax hit they face.
