The United Steelworkers today announced that Region 11 of the National Labor Relations Board has dismissed claims filed by Covington Paperworkers Union that MeadWestvaco bargained illegally with the USW as a “minority union” when it negotiated a new collective bargaining agreement with USW and USW Local 8-675 and that the Company was obligated to bargain with CPU.

The members of USW Local 8-675 in Covington, Virginia ratified the new contract with MeadWestvaco on July 1, 2009.

At that time, USW International Vice President Jon Geenen, the union’s top official with responsibility for paper bargaining, pointed out that the overwhelming ratification vote itself should end any speculation about which union is best suited to represent the hourly production and maintenance employees at the mill. Click here for more.