The United Steelworkers (USW) announced today that members at all 15 local unions at International Paper (IP) ratified a four-year Master Agreement by a 73 percent vote. An 80-member bargaining committee had previously recommended ratification of the tentative agreement that was reached in early April. The contract covers some 6,000 workers.  

"The USW is extremely proud of the progress made by our members in the paper sector," said USW International President Leo W. Gerard. "Strong leadership and solidarity at each of the locations was vital to reaching this agreement at IP. The success of our local unions here sets a precedent for bargaining in rest of the industry."

The new contract includes wage increases in each year of the agreement, improvements to the pension and 401(k), cost stabilization for health care costs and employment security. Click here for more.