Roughly 25 CNRL contractors affected by the recent lay offs from the company were stranded when they received the notice that they were being laid off, leaving the workers stuck at the oilsands site when transportation that had been arranged did not materialize. The workers were finally flown out last Thursday after CNRL arranged for the contractors to be flown home. According to Julie Woo, the company spokesperson, “We confirm that 25 workers flew from the Horizon site this morning. Our agreement conditions state that the employee’s travel must be arranged, therefore, Canadian Natural worked together with the involved parties to ensure that the appropriate travel arrangements were made for PPEC’s workers.” The company also provided accommodations at the camp for the workers affected by the lay offs until transportation could be arranged by the company.

The Horizon site, one of the company projects and the location of the worker camp, was a location affected by the CRNL lay offs of contractors. On Thursday Woo continued on the topic by responding “This morning they were transported to our Aerodrome for their departure from site on Canadian Natural’s regular charter flight to Edmonton and Calgary. Workers were provided support in making travel arrangements to their final destination.” It is not known why the original transportation arranged for the stranded contractors did not arrive as scheduled, but CNRL made sure that everyone who ended up stranded was provided transportation to leave the area. The company also offered support and resources for those who needed to make additional arrangements to get back home.