Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, Canada, 27 April 2012 -- Nearly 86% of unionized workers from the idled NewPage Port Hawkesbury mill have voted to accept a contract offer from the company negotiating to buy the mill. Stern Group, the potential buyer, also has reached a tentative agrrement with Nova Scotia Power regarding energy supply and will be discussing timber rights with the provincial government.

“This vote outcome sends a clear message that the employees want to work hard to run a successful, competitive mill and they know what it will take to do this. We are equally committed to this partnership and to the success of the mill,” said Marc Dube of Pacific West Commerical Corp., the parent company of Stern Group, stated in a press release.

The Stern Group offer will reduce the workforce from about 550 to 229 unionized employees.