FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Release – July 11, 2008

2nd Tentative Agreement Reached in BC’s Pulp and Paper Industry

VANCOUVER- Yesterday the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada and Howe Sound Pulp and Paper Limited reached a tentative agreement.

“This agreement matches the tentative agreement reached earlier this week with CPLP,” states Don Boucher, CEP Administrative Vice President.  “We think this is a good deal for our members as well as one that reflects the state of the industry.”

“This agreement helps our company address the challenges we are facing over the next few years,” states David Hargreaves, HSPP Manager, Central Services.  “And we are very pleased with the spirit of cooperation at the bargaining table that allowed us to reach this agreement.”

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 both the membership at HSPP and CPLP 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.

An equal partnership between Canfor Corporation of Canada and Oji Paper Company Ltd. of Japan, Howe Sound Pulp and Paper was formed in 1988. Both of our parent companies are industry giants. Canfor, established in the 1930s, is one of Canada’s largest forestry companies and Oji Paper Company, founded in the 1870s, is a world leader in paper manufacturing. In addition to stability, our parent companies provide us with world-class product expertise, global perspectives, and a competitive advantage.

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

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