Members of CEP Union Local 141 and 259 at Bowater Mersey have narrowly voted to accept a proposal from Resolute Forest Products - formally Abitibi Bowater - which includes massive job cuts. In total, 51.7 percent of those who cast a ballot, voted in favor of negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with the company. It means 110 employees at the mill are going to lose their job. That includes 80 full time and 30 casual positions. The reduction in the workforce represents almost half of the union's membership and will leave 128 employees left to operate the mill. Union President Courtney Wentzell was clearly dejected as he delivered the news to a handful of his co-workers at the union hall in Brooklyn on Wednesday night. No word on when negotiations between the company and union will commence. Wentzell didn't reveal how many of the union's 228 members voted.
