The AbitibiBowater caucus of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers (CEP) union and the forest products company have temporarily adjourned negotiations and will resume March 1.
In a Jan. 22 CEP release, the union said the adjournment comes after five days of union deliberations over discussions with governments and the company concerning the company's insolvent pension plan.
“We are frustrated and disappointed, but the company and its creditors are not ready to make an economic (decision) to resolve the pension issues and renew the collective agreements,” said CEP president Dave Coles.
Coles said the time off will give the union more time to secure commitments from the federal government to protect retirees in the forestry industry. He said some progress has been made at the provincial level but it's now time for Ottawa to “step up and help our retirees” of industry, as it has with other sectors.
The CEP's AbitibiBowater caucus includes delegates from 23 local unions at 12 of the company's pulp and paper mills in Eastern Canada.
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