The United Steelworkers reacting today to a February 11 announcement by one of its larger employers, Graphic Packaging Holding Co., of its intent to close four plants, including two, in Morris, Ill., and Cantonment, Fla., said it would launch a campaign to settle its outstanding differences with the company and work to help it put its business on the right track.

“The fundamental problem with this business model is that you cannot shutter your way to success. The focus on mergers, acquisitions, and then reduction of capacity to hold up prices never ends up good in the long haul for workers, the community, or even the business. Stakeholders realize that this formula is ultimately costly and risky. The key to real long-term success is innovation, research and development of new markets, and high productivity.” said USW Vice President Jon Geenen, who handles collective bargaining for the union’s paper sector ... more