The United Steelworkers announced August 15 that the union has reached an understanding on the first master agreement with International Paper in 25 years, one that would improve wages and benefits and provide job security across 14 mills owned by the largest paper producer in the industry.
The agreement also contains successorship language to protect Steelworkers’ jobs if IP sells a mill and maintains wages and benefits that support the mill communities.
USW international president Leo W. Gerard said, “This tentative master agreement is a clear step forward by both the USW and the largest player in the paper industry. The successorship commitment represents a mature view of the volatile business climate in this industry and a fair and reasonable commitment by IP to its workers.”
Local unions present at a meeting in
USW vice president Richard LaCosse, who led the Steelworker bargaining team, told the local presidents, “The paper industry has resisted reaching master agreements with our union. Through a progressive approach with IP, we were able to address issues affecting both parties and the paper industry itself and set an example for the rest of the industry. The final voice, of course, belongs to our members, who will be voting on the agreement shortly.”
Workers will receive details of the proposed contract in the mail this week and are scheduled to vote on it August 23. Results will be available August 24.
The USW represents 150,000 members in the North American paper industry. Overall, it represents more than 850,000 workers in a wide array of industries throughout the U.S. and Canada.
