Corner Brook Pulp and Paper employees have been bracing for layoffs. (CBC)

Kruger Inc. has laid off 39 workers — including 31 CEP workers — at its pulp and paper mill in Corner Brook.

Eight machinists received their notice earlier Wednesday. Four more machinists will be laid off at a later date, sources told CBC News - that will bring the total number of layoffs so far to 43.

The 23 laid-off workers are members of local 64 and six are members of local 242 of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union. Two other workers from another local have also received notices.The affected machinists are members the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

The company is holding meetings Wednesday with officials from the eight unions representing workers at the mill. It's expected more job cuts will be annouced.

The cuts come a week after CBC News obtained an internal memo from Montreal-based newsprint producer Kruger Inc., saying it will "reduce its workforce" in the next few months.

In what may be a sign of what is to come to its western Newfoundland facility, the company said mills of comparable size are operating with 135 fewer employees than the Corner Brook Pulp and Paper mill.

Kruger said the cuts are necessary in order for the mill to survive.

Kruger officials told union representatives Jan. 24 that the company is working on a cost-cutting plan to make the Corner Brook paper mill more profitable.

Of the three paper mills that existed in the province, Corner Brook is the only one still operating.