The recent announcement that the Agropur facility in Sussex will close by the end of 2028 leaves 60 workers facing an uncertain future. If you live in southern New Brunswick, you understand how vital these manufacturing jobs are to the local economy. According to a recent report from CTV News Atlantic, morale at the plant is at a historic low.
The Human Impact
Shane Smith worked at the Sussex plant for 24 years. As the site shop steward, he sees the toll this takes on his colleagues. “It was quite a blow to everyone,” Smith told CTV News. “It was something I never would imagine in my entire dreams that something like this would happen, and everybody is feeling it.”
Workers recently gathered at the All Seasons Inn in Sussex for a private meeting with Unifor local union leaders. This gave staff their first chance to ask questions and figure out their next steps.
Union Leaders Push for Government Intervention
Jennifer Murray serves as the Atlantic regional director for Unifor and led the meeting. She confirmed the union requested meetings with all levels of government to explore options for saving the facility.
“We have to find ways and means to sit with our government and come up with a plan for this workplace,” Murray said. “Because if our government is able to invest in one workplace, I am certain that we can talk about investment in another.”
This comment points directly to the provincial government providing 2.4 million dollars in direct funding to Agropur. The province intended this money to help modernize the company plant in Miramichi. When the province announced the funding last February, neither Murray nor Smith expected it to impact the Sussex location. Smith called the oversight ridiculous.
The Reality of Relocation
Agropur has not officially laid off any Sussex employees yet. The company also has not confirmed if any of the 60 Sussex workers will transition into the 15 new jobs created by the Miramichi upgrades.
Even if Agropur offers relocation, workers face tough choices. The current housing market makes moving difficult. “As far as relocating with the housing crisis, who wants to sell their home here and try and find a home up there?” Smith asked. “Everything was going well, this was a big shocker, and we had no clue this was going to happen.”
Murray believes a path exists to keep the Sussex site operational. She stressed that rural communities rely on these lucrative jobs. Transitioning work elsewhere and uprooting families disrupts the community created in Sussex.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Sussex Agropur plant closing?
The facility will cease operations by the end of 2028.
How many jobs are affected by the closure?
The closure will result in 60 job losses.
Did the government give money to Agropur?
Yes, the provincial government provided 2.4 million dollars to modernize the Agropur plant in Miramichi.
Was there a condition of the $ 2.4 million dollars provided by the provincial government to be returned if the facility closed or was sold within a given time period?