NewPage winning bid to be announced this week

The fate of former NewPage Port Hawkesbury Corp. workers will be known soon as the winning bid for the mill will be announced early this week.

The mill directly employed 600 workers when in full operationand supported another 400 jobs in the woods until itclosed in September.

The company said it was losing money because ofrising costs in powerand the high value of the Canadian dollar.

There arefour final bidsfor the mill two bidders indicated they would sell off the mill's assets, the other two showed interest in operating the mill.

Archie MacLachlan, the first vice-president of the Communications Energy and Paperworkers Union, Local 972, said the union is cautiously optimistic.

"We've been very confident, our local has been very confident... since the whole process began, that we have two fine paper machines, excellent work force, good wood supply, good water supply and that one of the two companies that want to run the mill on a full-time basis will be a successful bidder."

Ernst & Youngthe court-appointed monitor overseeing the sale will make a public announcement Tuesday or Wednesday.

MacLachlan said power rates are still a critical factor in determiningif the mill could be reopened.