The CWA/SCA Canada union said Friday the Winnipeg-based newspaper publisher (TSX: CGS) is asking for wage cuts of up to five per cent, which could save it $20 million a year and help it avoid a bankruptcy protection filing.

The union represents workers at five of Canwest's major papers.

It received the concession requests in a letter delivered Friday from Dennis Skulsky, president and CEO of Canwest's newspaper operations.

The union said it believes similar letters have been sent to other union leaders at Canwest newspapers.

In the letter, the union said, Skulsky writes that a five per cent wage cut for all Canwest newspaper employees would result in $20 million in savings in a year.