News Advisory - N.B. forestry pensioners to rally at legislature

FREDERICTON, NB, Dec. 7 /CNW Telbec/ - Forest workers and pensioners will gather in front of the N.B. legislative assembly in Fredericton on Tuesday, December 8 , at 1:00 p.m. to demand government support for a pension trust fund that would protect the pensions of Fraser Papers' retirees and others whose employers have filed for bankruptcy protection.

New Brunswick government officials were receptive to the trust fund proposal when they met with leaders of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union on Nov. 17 , but the government has so far refused to take any action.

"There is very little time because the proposed restructuring of the company and cuts to pensions will be before the courts in Toronto on Dec. 10," says CEP President Dave Coles . "I don't understand what the hold up is -- our proposal requires no government cash bailout."

Adds CEP Atlantic Region Vice-President Ervan Cronk: "It is a plausible solution to the growing pension crisis that requires governments to put aside their ideologies and support pensioners who have worked all of their lives to help build the forest industry and the N.B. economy. But the New Brunswick government must act now, before it is too late."

For further information: Ervan Cronk, CEP Atlantic Region Vice-President, [phone] or [phone]