The MP for Bay of Quinte met this week with the union that represents close to 200 workers at the Trenton Nestle plant, which is slated to close next year.
Neil Ellis spoke to representatives from LiUNA Local 3000 and sent a letter to Nestle Canada head office, expressing his anger over the closure and imploring the company to keep the plant here.
Ellis tells Quinte News trying to keep the plant open is the goal right now.
“I think that’s everybody’s priority, not only the union’s, but everybody’s. It’s probably a long shot since that was a decision by an American company, but I’m always a believer of ‘never quit trying’ so, until the doors are shut we’ll fight for the employees and fight to keep it here, or maybe find somebody to buy the plant or repurpose the plant, to keep these jobs here.”
He says along with writing to Nestle Canada’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs Catherine O’Brien, he’s also reached out to other federal ministries to see how they can help with potentially keeping the plant open.
“First comes first is trying to save the plant. I’ve also sent letters to Minister of Rural Economic Development Maryam Monsef, notifying her of the situation and how these middle class jobs are ones that we want to keep in the riding and in Canada. So I’m asking for support them also.”
Nestle made a surprise announcement last week that it would be moving its production from the Trenton plant to the United States, where it ships about 80% of what is produced at the Quinte Region facility.
Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith is also set to meet with union representatives, to see what help the Provincial Government can offer to workers as well.
