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CEP set to hold pension updates
Wednesday, 4 November 2009 - 3:36pm
A similar meeting will be held at the Best Western Inn in Kenora on Monday (Nov. 9) at 7 p.m.
Leaders of Canada’s largest forestry union, along with senior officials of AbitibiBowater, met Monday with provincial Forest minister Michael Gravelle and finance department officials to discuss protecting the pensions of thousands of workers.
The delegation, which included CEP president Dave Coles, secretary-treasurer Gaétan Ménard, and Ontario administrative vice-president Kim Ginter, is proposing a trust for existing pensioners with government guarantees and regulation changes that would allow current pension benefits to continue.
The proposal, when presented to Quebec Labour minister Sam Hamad last week, was met with positive reaction.
The union also has requested a meeting with federal Finance minister Jim Flaherty.
“The union/company proposal provides employees with a guarantee of retirement income, and peace of mind during difficult economic times,” Coles said.
“Without it, AbitibiBowater will not have a future in this country,” he warned.
“This is a solution that allows governments to solve part of a growing social and economic problem without any cash infusion,” Coles added.
Contract negotiations with AbitibiBowater were suspended last week until the union secures a commitment from governments to help with the pension and restructuring issues.
“CEP is meeting directly with AbitibiBowater employees and pensioners in the coming weeks to update them on strategy to address the pension plan underfunding,” noted CEP national representative Stephen Boon.”
Staff
The Communication, Energy and Paperworkers union is planning two meetings next week to update area AbitibiBowater employees and pensioners on the strategy to address the pension plan underfunding.
A meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday (Nov. 10) at 2:30 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. at the Townshend Theatre here in Fort Frances.
Leaders of Canada’s largest forestry union, along with senior officials of AbitibiBowater, met Monday with provincial Forest minister Michael Gravelle and finance department officials to discuss protecting the pensions of thousands of workers.
The delegation, which included CEP president Dave Coles, secretary-treasurer Gaétan Ménard, and Ontario administrative vice-president Kim Ginter, is proposing a trust for existing pensioners with government guarantees and regulation changes that would allow current pension benefits to continue.
The proposal, when presented to Quebec Labour minister Sam Hamad last week, was met with positive reaction.
The union also has requested a meeting with federal Finance minister Jim Flaherty.
“The union/company proposal provides employees with a guarantee of retirement income, and peace of mind during difficult economic times,” Coles said.
“Without it, AbitibiBowater will not have a future in this country,” he warned.
“This is a solution that allows governments to solve part of a growing social and economic problem without any cash infusion,” Coles added.
Contract negotiations with AbitibiBowater were suspended last week until the union secures a commitment from governments to help with the pension and restructuring issues.
“CEP is meeting directly with AbitibiBowater employees and pensioners in the coming weeks to update them on strategy to address the pension plan underfunding,” noted CEP national representative Stephen Boon.”