Most N.L. mill workers accept final contract offer in hopes of saving plant

CORNER BROOK, N.L. – Most unionized workers at Newfoundland’s last paper mill have voted in favour of a new contract in hopes of saving the financially troubled operation.

Dave Coles, national president of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union, says four of five union locals representing workers at Corner Brook Pulp and Paper accepted the offer from Kruger Inc.

In a letter this week, company CEO Joseph Kruger implored more than 300 unionized mill workers to accept wage, benefit and pension concessions or watch the iconic mill close.

The bulk of the mill’s workers voted on the offer Thursday and today ahead of a company-imposed deadline.

On Wednesday, a small group of skilled trades workers in another union rejected the company’s offer, saying concessions and changes to the pension were ultimately unacceptable.