News Benefits & Pensions Labour Relations
Unifor calls on Northern Pulp to reverse decision to end pension recall rights

Unifor is calling on Northern Pulp to reverse its decision to end pension recall rights for about 110 members of Local 440.

“Unifor gave a strong recommendation to Northern Pulp to wait until the CCAA proceedings are resolved before making any decisions that affect members of Local 440,” said Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray. “Extending pension recall rights costs the company absolutely nothing out of pocket but they chose to snub the group of people who have been their most ardent supporters.”

Unifor members received notice last week that while employment recall rights are still in effect, pension recall rights were terminated on Dec. 31, 2023. This will impact about 50 Unifor members enrolled in the defined benefit (DB) pension plan, and another 60 members in the defined contribution (DC) plan.

Retirees currently drawing their pension will see no impact to their benefits, the union said.

“We are disappointed they moved on this now, when there’s still so much uncertainty around Northern Pulp’s status,” said Murray.

Northern Pulp extended pension recall rights from their planned April 2023 end to December 2023, but the union still expected the company would extend those rights further until the CCAA proceedings were completed.