Union Charges Unfair Labor Practices at Appleton Spring Mill

Contact: Ed Kemick (USW) – (724) 698-3585

PITTSBURGH – The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that the union has filed charges against Appleton Paper for unilaterally and illegally changing the terms and conditions of employment of  about 370 hourly production and maintenance workers who are represented by USW Local 10-0422 at Appleton’s Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania mill.

The union said that its unfair labor practice allegations, which were filed with Region 6 of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on Friday, April 18, 2008, also include charges of refusing to bargain and breaking the previous contract, which had been extended while negotiations over a new one proceeded.

“Our union will hold Appleton management accountable,” said USW Vice President Jon Geenen, “and if the company continues breaking the law, we expect the NLRB to sanction them.”

Geenen reiterated the union’s willingness to meet with the company in a good faith effort to resolve the deteriorating relationship between the USW and Appleton at Roaring Spring.

The members of USW Local 10-0422 have rejected the company’s last two contract offers by votes of 350-1 and most recently 344 to 1. Appleton management has refused to meet with the union’s negotiating committee since April 10, and no new meetings are scheduled.

The USW represents more than 850,000 workers in a wide array of industries throughout the United States and Canada, including approximately 1,500 hourly production and maintenance employees at Appleton Paper facilities in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin and Kansas.

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