HALIFAX,
NS, May 23, 2024 /CNW/ - Unifor welcomes news
that fully funding the workers' pension plan is part of the
agreement reached between the Province of Nova Scotia and Paper Excellence, the parent
company of the Northern Pulp mill in Pictou, N.S.
"Unifor members of Local 440 at Northern Pulp have endured
uncertainty over their future and their retirement funds for years
now, and it's imperative both parties to the agreement offer the
basic respect to retirees and former employees by fully funding the
pension plan," said Unifor Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray. "Hearing Premier Houston speak
of the workers' pension funding being personally important to him
gives us confidence the pension will be a priority."
The union will watch closely as the company conducts its
feasibility study on the relocation of the pulp mill to another
location in Nova Scotia.
"The possibility of bringing back some good union jobs in the
forestry sector to rural Nova
Scotia is encouraging but likely years away. It is promising
to see the company and government working toward a solution for the
mill site and the Nova Scotia
forestry sector, as we urged over many years. Meaningful
collaboration that respects all stakeholders is the only way we
make progress," said Murray. "Our current focus is to make sure the
retirees and former workers of Northern Pulp are made financially
whole."
Unifor represented 220 members at Northern Pulp, prior to its
shutdown in January 2020.
Unifor is Canada's largest
union in the private sector and represents 320,000 workers in every
major area of the economy, including 22,100 in the forestry sector.
The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights
for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create
progressive change for a better future.
SOURCE Unifor