New Five Year Collective Agreement successfully negotiated between Tembec and
CEP for Chetwynd Pulp Mill; Mill to restart production in January

TEMISCAMING, QC, Dec. 14 /CNW Telbec/ - Tembec today announced that negotiations for a new collective agreement with CEP local 448 representing workers at its Chetwynd, B.C. high yield pulp mill have been successfully concluded. The new agreement will be for a term of five years and was reached following what the Company termed "very straightforward negotiations". It was ratified over the weekend by what the Company understands to be a large majority of the membership. Tembec also indicated that, with this new agreement in place and market conditions for pulp improving, the Chetwynd mill would restart in January.

"This is an important agreement for all parties associated with the Chetwynd mill. The last couple of years have been extremely challenging for the pulp industry and, while we are seeing positive momentum relative to demand and pricing, the stability that this five year agreement will bring is critical for employees, suppliers and customers, "said Yvon Pelletier, Executive Vice President and President, Pulp Group. "With this agreement in place and with the ongoing support from the majority of our key suppliers, it is our intent to restart the Chetwynd mill in January and have it ramp up to full production by February."

"The Company appreciates very much the very straightforward and business like approach to negotiations taken by our employees and their elected representatives. The discussions were tough, but were also focussed and realistic, and the outcome will be good for all stakeholders," concluded Mr. Pelletier .

The Chetwynd mill, which produces high yield pulp and has an annual capacity of 240,000 tonnes, has been shutdown since February of this year due to market conditions. It employs roughly 160 people, of whom 115 are covered by the new collective agreement. The mill also provides employment for 35 First Nation workers through their company, Three Nation Ventures.

Tembec is a large, diversified and integrated forest products company which stands as the global leader in sustainable forest management practices. The Company's principal operations are located in Canada and France . Tembec's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol TMB and warrants under TMB.WT. Additional information on Tembec is available on its website at www.tembec.com.

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of securities laws. Such statements relate to the Company's or management's objectives, projections, estimates, expectations or predictions of the future and can be identified by words such as "will", "anticipate", "estimate", "expect" and "project" or variations of such words. These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of future developments. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changes in foreign exchange rates, product selling prices, raw material and operating costs and other factors identified in our periodic filings with securities regulatory authorities. Many of these risks are beyond the control of the Company and, therefore, may cause actual actions or results to materially differ from those expressed or implied herein. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information: John Valley, Executive Vice President, Business Development and Corporate Affairs, [phone], [email protected]; Tracy Dottori, Human Resources Manager, Forest Products Group, [phone], [email protected]