This is an archive of news stories and research from the National Union of Public and General Employees. Please see our new site - https://nupge.ca - for the most current information.
“The provincial government is quick to boast about its tourism ads; I doubt they will be in a rush to do the same about shutting down this tourist attraction." — Jerry Earle, NAPE President-elect
St. John's (12 May 2015) — Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE/NUPGE) President-elect Jerry Earle says the closure of the Logger’s Life Museum in Grand Falls-Windsor is the most recent casualty of the provincial budget.
Newfoundland and Labrador government closes historic museum
“Our members at the Logger’s Life Museum in Grand Falls-Windsor were informed on May 8 that their services would no longer be required, as the museum would be closing down permanently,” said Earle. “This came as a shock to the two seasonal NAPE/NUPGE members who operate the museum. They were expecting to open the museum today for the season. It’s extremely disappointing for the workers who have contributed a combined 37 years of service to the museum.”
The Logger’s Life Museum is a reconstructed early 20th century logging camp located in Grand Falls-Windsor. The Museum featured a trail, bunkhouse, cookhouse, barn, forge, and interpretation centre. The Museum was an attraction for tourists, but also provided a learning experience, linked to the school curriculum, for local school children.
Province's past being forgotten at the hands of austerity
“Many communities in Central Newfoundland were settled and eventually prospered because of the logging industry. This Museum not only provided a tourism destination, it also preserved a large part of the history of Central Newfoundland,” continued Earle. “It is a loss for the community and for the province as a whole.”
“The provincial government is quick to boast about its tourism ads; I doubt they will be in a rush to do the same about shutting down this tourist attraction,” stated Earle. “With little to no indication of where the next layoff notices are being handed out, or what other sites might be shut down, we are left to wonder what’s next.”
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE