The membership ratified a new collective agreement in December with Neucel Specialty Cellulose, which is bringing the mill back to life after sitting in bankruptcy for a year. The company is working to upgrade the mill and has promised to make an initial investment of $25 million.

The mill had been closed since former owners LaPointe Partners shut down operations in October 2004. Local 514 president Don Vye said his members had to make some concessions to reach the deal, but they were able to prevail on the key issues of seniority and pensions. He said they are still working on what needs to be done to get the mill up and
running.

CEP Western Region Vice President Dave Coles congratulated the Local 514 executive board for hammering out an agreement under the worst of circumstances. Coles said, “Don Vye and his executive forced the absolute best deal out of their new employer, despite incredible pressure from Neucel and a faction within the community of Port Alice that wanted to settle for less. They have put in place a contract that not only allows the mill to re-open, but provides a basis for negotiating improved contracts in the future.”

In a statement, Neucel said, "as a result, the mill will evolve into a producer of very high quality speciality cellulose targeted to operate a minimum of 330 days a year.The overall outcome will be a mill far more insulated from the cyclical markets that plagued its operations in the past, as well as a stable work environment allowing workers and their families to plan their futures with security."

Neucel is a subsidiary of Charlestown investments, a Swiss-based company and the New York-based Wellspring Capital Partners.