Aug 20, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. At least one of the unions at AbitibiBowater's mill in Thunder Bay, Ontario has reached a tentative new deal with the company, as reported by ForestTalk. CEP Local 39 President Gary Bragnalo said Wednesday afternoon that the union he represents reached a tentative deal with the company. His 680 members have to vote on the deal by the end of the month. Today was the deadline AbitibiBowater set for re-negotiating the contracts in Thunder Bay as part of the necessary cost-cutting required to keep the mill operating. In order to complete a viable operating platform, AbitibiBowater officials have said they need to deal with not only their labour costs, but also wood and energy costs.