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Northern Pulp union ‘nervous’ about outstanding pension payments

Union representatives are awaiting nearly $3.7 million in unpaid pension payments for laid-off employees at Northern Pulp, but remain “optimistic.”

In a report by CBC News, Wanda Skinner, president of Unifor Local 440 in Nova Scotia, says that union members are “nervous” the company won’t be able to make up the shortfall after the mill reported in creditor protection documents that the payments aren’t included in its forecast through 2022.

“We’re hoping that the company continues making that pension payment,” Skinner tells the news outlet. “And as they are continuing to try to get the company back up and running, I’m trying to be optimistic for everybody.

On Sep. 25, British Columbia’s top court approved a $6.2-million loan for Northern Pulp from the mill’s B.C.–based parent company, Paper Excellence, to pay employees severance and retiree benefits. But the loan didn’t extend to pension plan payments.

A mill-appointed environment committee is reviewing the feasibility of alternative plans for a new effluent treatment plant at the site and will present its findings to the province of Nova Scotia this month.

Read the full article from CBC News.