Canada's largest pulp and paper union has agreed to AbitibiBowater Inc.'s request to reopen collective agreements early next year, but it won't cut wages and benefits.

The Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union says it's willing to head to the bargaining table a year earlier than scheduled in response to the crisis in the forestry sector.

"We're taking the bull by the horns," CEP president Dave Coles said in a release Thursday following a two-day meeting of union delegates.

"As a union there are ways we can help cut costs that don't involve concessions and we want to put them forward."

Coles added that "reopening negotiated contracts to cut wages and benefits is definitely not on."

Last week, AbitibiBowater announced plans to close mills and reopen labour agreements in an attempt to streamline production, cut costs and boost profits.

The layoffs will mostly affect Canadian workers, with Shawinigan and Donnacona in Quebec among the hardest hit.

Mills in New Brunswick, Ontario and British Columbia are also slated to be closed.

AbitibiBowater says more layoffs may be in store unless unions, governments and communities help cut costs.

But Coles said the union wants to meet AbitibiBowater to explore alternatives for the mills, early retirements and a transition plan for workers.

The union is also calling on all major forestry companies to join it in convening a national forest industry summit.