"This is an ultimate humiliation and painful blow inflicted on our members because the Conservative government believes that bankers are more deserving than working Canadians." "If this government has any decency it will follow the lead of Premier Williams in Newfoundland and pay the severance owing to these workers," he said. The union is demanding that federal-provincial task forces be established with union participation in each of the communities affected by the closures to ensure that the productive capacity of the closed mills is not destroyed and to look for new, responsible ownership. "If given half a chance, Canadians will overcome the shock, anger and cynicism left behind by the AbitibiBowater announcements and struggle to rebuild the forest industry," said Coles. "There is no alternative for Canada's forest communities than the sustainable development and value added processing of our primary renewable natural resource." For further information: Dave Coles, (613) 299-5628 (cell)