International Paper Converters Deal Goes to USW Membership for Vote with Unanimous Endorsement

Contact: Jon Geenen, USW Intl. VP, (o) 920-722-1085
            Stan Johnson, USW District 9 Director, (o) 615-831-6780

Pittsburgh, Pa.–United Steelworkers (USW) local unions attending an International Paper (IP) converter meeting in Cincinnati on April 2 unanimously voted to take back to the membership for ratification the proposed converters national agreement negotiated between the USW and IP, covering key economic and security issues.

“The unanimous support of the tentative accord with IP and USW converting facilities says a lot about the amount of progress that we continue to make in bargaining in the paper industry, and underscores the importance of local union activism and unity,” said USW International Vice President Jon Geenen who is responsible for national paper bargaining.

USW members working at the affected facilities developed the union’s basic bargaining agenda at meetings a year ago. The proposed deal covers major economic issues such as wages, pension, health care, and a number of job security provisions, but leaves the local and non-economic bargaining a matter for local discussions.

“The tentative deal that our union has reached with IP enhances the security of USW members and provides significant economic gains as well,” said USW International President Leo W. Gerard. “The fact that our local union leaders have unanimously endorsed the deal speaks volumes about the benefits and importance of coordinating our efforts in an increasingly global environment.”

All IP converter local unions will vote on the proposed deal no later than midnight on April 20, 2008. A majority of the members voting is needed for passage of the proposed offer. The USW expects a large majority of those voting to ratify the offer because the package includes significant pension increases and significantly improves previous wage offers.

Once ratified, the converters master agreement will affect the following 32 IP facilities:

Bay Minette, Ala.; Auburndale, Fla.; Lake Wales, Fla.; Atlanta, Ga.; Savannah, Ga.; Chicago, Ill.; Des Plaines, Ill.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Hartford City, Ind.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Portland, Ind.; Springhill, La. (two facilities); Howell, Mich.; Kalamazoo, Mich.; Arden Hills, Minn.; Houston, Miss.; Thorofare, N.J.; Statesville, N.C.; Mason, Ohio; Solon, Ohio; Wooster, Ohio; Mt. Carmel, Pa.; Georgetown, S.C.; Wellford, S.C.; Morristown, Tenn.; Carrolton, Texas; Edinburg, Texas; Chesapeake, Va.; Franklin, Va.; Richmond, Va.; Fond Du Lac, Wisc.

The USW represents about 130,000 workers in the U.S. paper and forest products industries.

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