USW Reaches Master Agreement with IP
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The United Steelworkers (USW), Pittsburgh, Pa., USA, reports that this week it reached a tentative, four-year master agreement with International Paper (IP), Memphis, Tenn., after a week of negotiations over key economic issues. The agreement was reached after nearly a year of planning and strategic meetings culminating with the 80-person bargaining committee representing 15 sites meeting in New Orleans, La., in face-to-face discussions.
"These negotiations are particularly important for our union. IP is the biggest company in the sector and a leader in the global industry. The success of our local unions here sets the tone for bargaining across the industry," said USW International President Leo W. Gerard.
"The accord with IP represents a historic moment for our paper sector," added Jon Geenen, USW VP, who heads collective bargaining for its members employed in the paper industry. "In the past, our locals bargained site by site, even though most companies approach bargaining as part of a national strategy. One of the main benefits of all the locals bargaining together at the same time is that everyone gets a voice in shaping the package," he said.
The local unions will take the offer, which 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, back to their members for discussion by the first week in May. A ratification vote will be conducted later in the month.
The USW represents 850,000 workers in the U.S. and Canada employed in the industries of metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service sector. Some 100,000 are employed in the paper and pulp sector.
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