CEP-AbitibiBowater negotiations temporarily adjourned

MONTREAL , Jan. 22 /CNW Telbec/ - Negotiations between the AbitibiBowater CEP caucus and the company have temporarily adjourned and will resume March 1 .

The adjournment comes after five days of union deliberations over discussions with governments and the company concerning the company's insolvent pension plan.

"We are frustrated and disappointed, but the company and its creditors are not ready to make an economic offer to resolve the pension issues and renew the collective agreements," said CEP President Dave Coles .

"This temporary adjournment will give us more time to secure the commitments we need from the federal government to protect retirees in the forest industry. There has been some progress made at the provincial level, but it is now time for the federal government to step up and help our retirees and this struggling industry, as it has for other sectors."

The CEP AbitibiBowater caucus includes delegates from 23 AbitibiBowater local unions at 12 pulp and paper mills in Eastern Canada .

For further information: Dave Coles, [phone] (cell)