Pulp workers to vote on tentative deal

ABERCROMBIE (CP) - Employees of a pulp and paper mill in northeastern Nova Scotia will vote today on whether to accept a collective agreement that includes concessions.

The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union has presented a tentative deal to workers at the Northern Pulp mill in Abercrombie.

Local president Mark MacLaughlin says the deal is recommended by the bargaining committee even though it includes roll-backs, changes around contracting out work and changes to vacation pay.

MacLaughlin said if the deal is rejected the employees could strike, or the company could also choose to lock out the employees.
An earlier tentative collective agreement was voted down by 90 per cent of the 175 employees on May 28.

Don Breen, Northern Pulp vice president, said he could not comment on the details of the new agreement, but he said the mill must decrease its expenses.

"We need to reduce our costs, so we can be competitive with our industry peers," he said.
The last collective agreement expired in May 2009.