Closure of AV Nackawic mill devastating blow to workers, Nackawic and New Brunswick
NACKAWIC, NB, Sept. 17, 2026 /CNW/ — Unifor condemns the closure of the AV Nackawic mill, a subsidiary of the India-based Aditya Birla Group. The devastating decision will put 228 active Unifor members out of work and deliver a serious blow to the community of Nackawic and the broader New Brunswick economy. The mill has long been a cornerstone of the local economy, supporting not only its direct workforce but also forestry workers, contractors, suppliers, businesses and families throughout the region.
“This is a devastating day for our AV Nackawic members and their families who have built their lives around this mill, and for an entire community that has depended on this operation for generations,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Workers should never be treated as an afterthought when a major employer makes a decision of this magnitude. Unifor will be there with our members as we fight for every available option to protect good jobs.”
The impact of the closure will extend far beyond the mill. In a community where the mill is a major economic anchor, the loss of hundreds of well-paying industrial jobs will affect local businesses, contractors, forestry operations, and public revenues. The consequences will also be felt throughout New Brunswick’s forestry supply chain and at the Port of Saint John. Unifor has previously warned that the Nackawic and Atholville mills together account for 70% of the sea-can exports moving through the Port of Saint John, underscoring the broader economic significance of these operations.
“Unifor has been raising concerns about the future of this operation and calling for investment because we knew that maintaining these jobs would require a commitment to the mill’s long-term viability,” said Unifor Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray. “Our members deserved that commitment, and they deserve every effort to find a path forward. And we are determined to keep fighting until we find a solution.”
The union has worked closely with Minister John Herron, the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and the Premier to explore solutions and identify opportunities to protect the operation and the jobs it supports. Unifor has also raised concerns about the company’s investment decisions, particularly as Aditya Birla Group has continued to invest in other mills and operations outside Canada while the Nackawic mill has not received the level of investment needed to secure its long-term future.
Unifor has continued advocating for solutions that could protect and transform the mill. In June, Unifor National President Lana Payne wrote to the New Brunswick government outlining potential opportunities for the Nackawic and Atholville facilities, including diversification into products such as xylitol, other chemicals and bioenergy. The union has called for governments, the company, workers and other stakeholders to work together on a long-term strategy for New Brunswick’s forestry sector.
Unifor represents approximately 228 active workers at AV Nackawic through Local 219. The union represents more than 320,000 workers across Canada, including approximately 24,000 members in the forestry sector.
SOURCE Unifor
