AbitibiBowater Contract Talks This Week

Contract talks between AbitibiBowater and the union representing its workers is set to begin this week.

Wages, job security and even a call for concessions may be up for discussion, but Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union president Dave Coles says progress is not possible unless the government ensures a solution to the company's pension insolvency issue.

Abitibi's 20 Canadian pension plans are underfunded by almost one and a half million dollars.

AbitibiBowater declined to specifically comment on upcoming negotiations.