Director Arnold Amber says the union, which represents more than 800 workers at five of Canwest's metro dailies, will be seeking a meeting with new CEO Paul Godfrey as soon as possible to discuss plans for the chain, if the courts approve the deal later this month.

"It was a great relief for our members and other employees who learned today that the new owners would assume responsibility for all benefits and pensions for active and retired workers. There also is no plan at this time to cut full-time staff," says Amber.

Just having the ownership question settled will relieve a lot of the anxiety employees have felt since Canwest's financial difficulties became apparent two years ago, he says.

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