International Paper Converters Deal Goes to USW Membership for Vote

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, 07 April 2008 -- /PRNewswire/ -- United Steelworkers (USW) local unions attending an International Paper (IP) converter meeting in Cincinnati on 02 April 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.

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 noneconomic bargaining a matter for local discussions.

All IP converter local unions will vote on the proposed deal no later than midnight on 20 April 2008. A majority of the members voting is needed for passage of the proposed offer. The USW expects a majority of those voting to ratify the offer, which 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, Alabama; Auburndale and Lake Wales, Florida; Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia.; Chicago and Des Plaines, Illinois; Fort Wayne, Hartford City, Indianapolis, and Portland, Indiana; Springhill, Louisiana (two facilities); Howell and Kalamazoo, Michigan; Arden Hills, Minnesota; Houston, Mississippi; Thorofare, New Jersey; Statesville, North Carolina; Mason, Solon, and Wooster, Ohio; Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania; Georgetown and Wellford, South Carolina; Morristown, Tennessee; Carrolton and Edinburg, Texas; Chesapeake, Franklin, and Richmond, Virginia; and Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin

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

Source: United Steelworkers (USW)

Web site: http://www.steelworkers-usw.org/