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| 'Hope not lost' for mill workers | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| First Minister Alex Salmond has insisted all hope is not lost for almost 400 workers at a closure-threatened paper mill in Aberdeenshire. | |
| International Paper has said its Inverurie plant was "unprofitable and not financially viable". | International Paper has said its Inverurie plant was "unprofitable and not financially viable". |
| The company has now started a three-month consultation with more than 370 staff at the mill. | The company has now started a three-month consultation with more than 370 staff at the mill. |
| Mr Salmond, the local Gordon SNP MSP, has met management and unions to discuss the future of the mill. | |
| He said: "We discussed how to proceed by taking time to look at various options and ensure the workforce can be retained whilst that takes place. | |
| "I am very pleased that the management has not ruled out any options and are willing to look at a range of alternatives. | |
| "Today I feel there is a great determination to explore every avenue with a view to retaining all jobs." | |
| The meeting on Thursday morning, also involving representatives of Scottish Enterprise, lasted about two hours. | |
| Inverurie Paper Mill director Chris Melia has said all would be done to "ensure the best possible outcome". | Inverurie Paper Mill director Chris Melia has said all would be done to "ensure the best possible outcome". |
| 'Fraught time' | 'Fraught time' |
| Mill managers have already met with officials from Aberdeenshire Council. | Mill managers have already met with officials from Aberdeenshire Council. |
| Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Forum (ACSEF) development manager Rita Stephen said: "Despite driving efficiencies and a skilled workforce, the paper mills in the region have been struggling for many years to cope in the face of adverse market conditions. | Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Forum (ACSEF) development manager Rita Stephen said: "Despite driving efficiencies and a skilled workforce, the paper mills in the region have been struggling for many years to cope in the face of adverse market conditions. |
| "The appropriate partners within ACSEF will be working to help International Paper and their employees in what is a fraught time for everyone concerned. | "The appropriate partners within ACSEF will be working to help International Paper and their employees in what is a fraught time for everyone concerned. |
| "The impact of the potential closure of the Inverurie Paper Mill on the local community and the knock-on effect to other businesses cannot be ignored." | "The impact of the potential closure of the Inverurie Paper Mill on the local community and the knock-on effect to other businesses cannot be ignored." |
| Lib Dem Gordon MP Malcolm Bruce - who is expected to hold talks next week - said the mill closing would end more than 200 years of history in the town. | Lib Dem Gordon MP Malcolm Bruce - who is expected to hold talks next week - said the mill closing would end more than 200 years of history in the town. |
| International Paper acquired the mill in 1996. | International Paper acquired the mill in 1996. |