Managers at the Kruger-owned newsprint mill in Corner Brook are willing to give up most of their bonuses. (CBC)

Managers at a western Newfoundland paper mill say they are not taking their full bonuses until staff wages increase.

The Communications, Energy and Paperworks Union, which represents employees at Corner Brook Pulp and Paper, said Thursday the managers left 60 per cent of their bonuses on the table.

The move has helped to ease tension among the workers, who recently accepted wage cuts at the struggling mill, owned by Montreal-based Kruger Inc.

"It, I think, has settled down somewhat, although there are still some pockets of people who are convinced that this is the line in the sand that they can't bring themselves to cross," said Ervan Cronk, a CEP vice-president.

Tensions were running high a few weeks ago as word of the bonuses spread among employees.

The economics of the mill have also been affected, as debate over the bonuses has derailed long-term negotiations on the mill's future.