MONTREAL (News release) -- Resolute Forest Products Inc. announced that it reached an agreement-in-principle for a four-year labor agreement with the Unifor union, representing most of the hourly employees in the company's Canadian pulp and paper operations. The agreement-in-principle is subject to member ratification.

The master agreement covers seven of Resolute's pulp and paper mills in Canada: the Dolbeau; Gatineau; Kénogami; Saint-Félicien and currently indefinitely idled Amos and Baie-Comeau facilities in Quebec; and the Thunder Bay operation in Ontario.

"We are pleased to announce this agreement-in-principle with Unifor national and local leadership," said Remi G. Lalonde, president and chief executive officer. "It underscores the important contribution of our employees to the company's success, as well as the collaborative nature of the relationship between the two parties."

The collective agreement covers approximately 700 employees. The details of the agreement are confidential until union leadership presents its terms to members in the coming days.