FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Release – July 7, 2008

Tentative Agreement Reached in BC’s Pulp and Paper Industry

PRINCE GEORGE- Yesterday the bargaining committee of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada voted to recommend a tentative agreement with Canfor Pulp Limited Partnership.

“We are very pleased with this tentative agreement,” states Don Boucher, CEP Administrative Vice President.  “We think this is a deal that reflects the realities of the times.”

“From our perspective this agreement accomplishes two things,” states David Scott, CPLP General Manager, Human Resources.  “it provides our organization with stability over the short term as well as respecting the needs of our employees.”

The tentative agreement includes a 4 year term that addresses several issues, including a wage increase, benefits improvements and improved severance provisions. 

 
If ratified by the membership the agreement will serve as a pattern for 14,000 CEP members in the pulp, paper and converting sectors across Western Canada, including 6000 in BC.

Canfor Pulp Limited Partnership (CPLP) is the largest North American and third largest global producer of market NBSK pulp and is the leading producer of fully bleached, high performance Kraft Paper.  CPLP owns and operates three mills in Prince George, British Columbia, which are among the lowest cost NBSK pulp producers in the industry.

The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada represents 150,000 members from coast to coast, including 40,000 members in the pulp and paper industry.

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