There has already been a lot of speculation about who would ultimately buy the papers and whether it would be a single purchaser.

"It's more important that the newspapers survive and thrive, than whether they have a single owner," says Arnold Amber, Director of CWA Canada, which represents about 800 employees at Canwest newspapers in Montreal, Ottawa, Windsor, Regina and Victoria. "Chain ownership hasn't always been good for local news. We hope the buyer or buyers are interested in good journalism and serving their community well." 

A group of lenders, led by the Bank of Nova Scotia, took control today of Canwest LP in a pre-arranged deal that coincided with the company seeking to restructure under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act.

The new owners of the National Post, 11 metro dailies, several dozen community papers and Internet properties include members of the international financial community.

"We trust that Canadian foreign ownership rules will be followed," says Amber.

The union is heartened by Canwest's assurances that all collective agreements, salary, group benefits and pensions will remain intact. However, Canwest says it won't offer the same protection to employees on "salary continuance." These are workers who received buyouts, but agreed to take the money in installments over many months. It is these payments that would be stopped.

"We believe these people should be covered by the collective agreement in effect at the time they left and we are consulting legal counsel to work on their behalf," says Amber.

Amber is reassuring union members that "Canwest newspapers will continue to publish as the restructuring process is under way. Union members will work their shifts as normal, receive their pay and will not see significant changes in their daily routines in the immediate future."

All collective agreements remain in force during the restructuring process. The pay and benefits due active employees will not change.

"Under Canadian law," says Amber, "if the company wants to alter the terms and conditions of our employment, our members have to agree to it."

CWA Canada's legal team will immediately file a notice of appearance, entitling the union to receive all materials submitted to the bankruptcy court. This will allow the union to monitor the proceedings and take any steps necessary to protect members' interests.

"Our role in the restructuring will be fundamental if there is any attempt to alter collective agreements, pension plans or working conditions. Therefore, we will be in a place where we can defend the rights of all of our members," says Amber.

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