Tory-controlled Senate likely to vote down bill giving disabled workers preferred creditor status
A bill that would have protected former Nortel employees from losing their long-term disability benefits isn't likely to make it out of the Senate.
Liberal Senator Art Eggleton proposed the bill that would give 400 Nortel employees on disability benefits preferred status among creditors and protect their long-term disability benefits.
However, the majority of members on the Senate's banking, trade and commerce committee are Conservatives and have recommended the upper house not proceed with the bill.
The Senate, also made up of a majority of Conservative members, is likely to follow the committee's recommendation.
Most of Nortel has been sold off since the company filed for bankruptcy protection in January 2009 and without Eggleton’s bill, long-term disability benefits will cease at the end of 2010.
