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Ear Falls sawmill workers getting paid to be vaccinated

Forestry company with operations Northwestern Ontario will pay its employees up to $350 if they choose to get vaccinated.
Ear Falls EACOM
EACOM's Ear Falls, Ont. Mill (supplied photo)

EAR FALLS, Ont.  – A forestry company with operations Northwestern Ontario will pay its employees up to $350 if they choose to get vaccinated.

EACOM Timber Corporation on Thursday announced it is aiming for an 85 per cent vaccination rate and plans to provide a financial incentive of $200 to employees who get the first dose of vaccine, $150 for the second, or $350 if they get the single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccination.

“We are committed to offering safe working environments for all members of our staff and business partners, as well as contributing to vaccination efforts in our communities,” said EACOM president and CEO Kevin Edgson.

“As a leadership team, we felt it was our duty to achieve a high target vaccination level at our facilities and that offering a cash incentive, in a confidential and equitable manner, would be a good option. We are pleased with the results thus far and appreciate everything our employees are doing to help us get back to normal as safely, and quickly, as possible.”

EACOM operates mills in 10 communities in Ontario and Quebec, including Ear Falls, Gogama, Timmins and Sault Ste. Marie, employing more than 1,200 people.

The payment plan is retroactive, to include anyone who has already received a shot.

“I’m honoured to work for a company and with colleagues who have, collectively, donated half of their KN-95 masks to local health units facing shortages, offered money and food to help those who lost their livelihoods, gestures which were matched at the corporate level,” said Éric Larouche, vice-president of human resources at EACOM.

We are fortunate to have operations in tight-knit communities, where people come together in times of crisis, and we try to do our part. The feedback and show of solidarity from our staff and partners in Ear Falls, Ontario has simply been overwhelming.”

Employees at facilities that reach the 85 per cent target will be entered into a company draw for one of three $10,000 prizes. The program runs until Dec. 31.



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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