GP Union Conference Sets Plan for Workers’ Advancement
P-Pay Issue, Union Communications, Action Plan Discussed & Debated
Georgia Pacific local union representatives met in Pittsburgh August 4 to address issues of importance to hourly workers at mills and converters, and to craft a strategy to best represent union workers at GP.
USW Int. Secretary Treasurer Stan Johnson and Vice President Jon Geenen kicked off discussions about ongoing negotiations with the company at different locations and the union’s overall program to strengthen the workers’ hand in dealings with management. With assistance from USW Strategic Campaigns Dept. staff, delegates reviewed the latest economic information about the company and industry, and talked extensively about health and safety issues at the plants, and the union’s duty to safeguard workers on-the-job. USW President Leo Gerard spoke about the proven advantage of union solidarity in paper shops, and ways to strengthen the voice of industrial workers from coast to coast.
Hot topics included management’s inconsistency in issuing performance pay, or “P-Pay” and Spot Pay, local management issues, and company negotiating tactics. There was recognition that the work of GP union members to establish our current Bargaining Framework with the company – setting minimum standards throughout the unionized GP system – which has stabilized income and employment for thousands of hourly workers through the GP Union Conference Sets Plan for Workers’ Advancement current economic downturn. The conference also helped cement bonds with allies and other unions around the world, such as UNITE, the USW’s United Kingdom (UK) merger partner in Workers Uniting, which also represents paper industry workers employed by multi-national corporations. A presentation by Craig Foster a UNITE member from GP’s mill in Lancashire , UK, gave concrete meaning to global solidarity among workers.
Based on discussion among union workers here and at GP regional meetings, a working group drafted a set of immediate objectives for the bargaining council:
• Establish a continuous, accessible, and comprehensive membership education program for the bargaining conference.
• Build/restore a culture of solidarity among locals in the Koch/GP conference to prevent problems like “whipsaw,” where one local is played off against another to reduce pay, benefits and other conditions of employment.
• Increase bargaining coordination and provide solidarity and support for USW members in sectors that are not currently covered by a framework.
• Develop an effective communication system for the union members in the Koch/GP conference and beyond.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
GP Union News July 2009
GP Union Conference meeting shaping up
Early numbers indicate that our upcoming meeting of GP local unions in Pittsburgh August 4-5 will be well attended. Aug. 4th is the day for our GP council meeting and the 5th will be a plenary meeting of other attending paper industry councils. We will move our Workers Uniting agenda forward where we have a joint presence in the paper sector with our United Kingdom counterpart UNITE. July 20 is the deadline for hotel reservations. For more information on arrangements or your local union, contact Dolly at the USW at 412-562-2382.
Labor Taking the Offense on the Political Front
After a long struggle since their government supervised vote to organize a union with the United Steelworkers, workers at the GP gypsum plant in Wheatfield, Ind., voted to accept the terms of their first union contract. USW members there will receive 2% wage increases in each of the succeeding years of the contract and other improvements.
Union negotiators say management finally got off a few issues that were unacceptable to union members, thereby providing an opportunity to present the proposed contract to hourly workers for discussion and a vote.
Members of the USW GP Union Conference extend congratulations and solidarity to brothers and sisters in Wheatfield for this important accomplishment. Also, a reminder that although some union proposals were not accepted this time around, with the union you have a vehicle to make important changes in the future, not just to accept whatever management is willing to give.
SUCCESS: Union workers at GP help nail down ‘black liquor’ tax credit
USW-represented workers from GP and other paper plants have successfully lobbied for continuation of the tax credits to the paper industry for alternative byproduct energy known as ‘black liquor.’ Rank-and-file union lobbyists said congressional representatives needed to be educated that this tax credit was not just a giveaway to companies, but an important tool to keep paper plants open during hard times and also promote bio-mass fuels. GP worker and USW member Melvin Dixon from GP-Naheola said, “I felt our lobbying effort went very well. It was well organized and people listened to what we had to say, especially those who had a lot of paper industry in their states. I think our efforts helped extend the tax credit until the end of the year.”
Early numbers indicate that our upcoming meeting of GP local unions in Pittsburgh August 4-5 will be well attended. Aug. 4th is the day for our GP council meeting and the 5th will be a plenary meeting of other attending paper industry councils. We will move our Workers Uniting agenda forward where we have a joint presence in the paper sector with our United Kingdom counterpart UNITE. July 20 is the deadline for hotel reservations. For more information on arrangements or your local union, contact Dolly at the USW at 412-562-2382.
Labor Taking the Offense on the Political Front
After a long struggle since their government supervised vote to organize a union with the United Steelworkers, workers at the GP gypsum plant in Wheatfield, Ind., voted to accept the terms of their first union contract. USW members there will receive 2% wage increases in each of the succeeding years of the contract and other improvements.
Union negotiators say management finally got off a few issues that were unacceptable to union members, thereby providing an opportunity to present the proposed contract to hourly workers for discussion and a vote.
Members of the USW GP Union Conference extend congratulations and solidarity to brothers and sisters in Wheatfield for this important accomplishment. Also, a reminder that although some union proposals were not accepted this time around, with the union you have a vehicle to make important changes in the future, not just to accept whatever management is willing to give.
SUCCESS: Union workers at GP help nail down ‘black liquor’ tax credit
USW-represented workers from GP and other paper plants have successfully lobbied for continuation of the tax credits to the paper industry for alternative byproduct energy known as ‘black liquor.’ Rank-and-file union lobbyists said congressional representatives needed to be educated that this tax credit was not just a giveaway to companies, but an important tool to keep paper plants open during hard times and also promote bio-mass fuels. GP worker and USW member Melvin Dixon from GP-Naheola said, “I felt our lobbying effort went very well. It was well organized and people listened to what we had to say, especially those who had a lot of paper industry in their states. I think our efforts helped extend the tax credit until the end of the year.”
Monday, March 23, 2009
GP Union News March 2009
GP Union Conference Utilizing First National Conference Call
On Thursday, March 26, 3:00 p.m. (Eastern), local union representatives from the GP Union Conference will be joining USW Vice President and GP Chair Jon Geenen on a conference call to discuss the latest developments at the company and in the industry. It will address questions and concerns that have been GP Union Conference Utilizing First National Conference Call
submitted by the local unions. Following the submitted questions, those on the call will have an opportunity to ask question and raise issues as time permits. This is not to replace conference meetings, but to enhance communications using the latest tools at our disposal.
GP Gypsum Worker in Wheatfield Fired by Company
As previously reported, GP gypsum workers inWheatfield, Ind., have gone more than two years since organizing without a union contract. Now comes news that a four-year employee and strong union supporter has been fired. This union member was singled out after reporting on the company hotline his concerns about possible leaks in employees’ personal information from GP’s
GP Gypsum Worker in Wheatfield Fired by Company records. While urging workers to report problems on the hotline, it’s apparently a firing offense to say something the company doesn’t like! Even worse, management is trying to block him from getting unemployment benefits to support his family. Even without having a contract in place, members have taken up a collection and are supporting their union brother though the tough times.
‘Weingarten Rights’
A WORKER’S RIGHT TO UNION REPRESENTATION
There is no time like the present to educate ourselves on where we stand as workers at this large company. USW members should be aware of an important legal safeguard that union-represented workers have that nonunion workers do not.
The right of employees to have union representation at investigatory interviews was announced by the U.S. Supreme Court in a 1975 case (NLRB vs. Weingarten, Inc.) These are known as the Weingarten rights.
Employees have Weingarten rights only during investigatory interviews, when a supervisor questions an employee to get information which could be used as a basis for discipline or asks an employee to defend his or her conduct.
If a union worker has a reasonable belief that discipline or other adverse consequences may result from what he or she says, they have the right to request union representation. Management is not required to inform the employee of his/her Weingarten rights; it is the employee’s responsibility to know and request.
When an employee makes the request for a union representative to be present management has three options: (I) stop questioning until the representative arrives, (2) call off the interview or, (3) tell the employee that it will call off the interview unless they voluntarily gives up his/her rights to a union representative (an option employees should refuse.)
Management often tries to say that the only role a union representative has in an investigatory interview is to observe the discussion. The Supreme Court, however, clearly says a representative can assist and counsel workers during the interview.
The Supreme Court also ruled that during an investigatory interview management must inform the union representative of the subject of the interrogation. The representative must also be allowed to speak privately with the employee before the interview. During the questioning, the representative can interrupt to clarify a question or to object to confusing or intimidating tactics.
While the interview is in progress the representative can not tell the employee what to say but he may advise them on how to answer a question. At the end of the interview the union representative can add information to support the employee's case.
Right now, employees who work in a non-union workplace are not entitled to have a coworker accompany them to an interview with their employer, even if they thinks that the interview might result in discipline.
Our Weingarten rights are one more important reason why it pays to be a union member!
On Thursday, March 26, 3:00 p.m. (Eastern), local union representatives from the GP Union Conference will be joining USW Vice President and GP Chair Jon Geenen on a conference call to discuss the latest developments at the company and in the industry. It will address questions and concerns that have been GP Union Conference Utilizing First National Conference Call
submitted by the local unions. Following the submitted questions, those on the call will have an opportunity to ask question and raise issues as time permits. This is not to replace conference meetings, but to enhance communications using the latest tools at our disposal.
GP Gypsum Worker in Wheatfield Fired by Company
As previously reported, GP gypsum workers inWheatfield, Ind., have gone more than two years since organizing without a union contract. Now comes news that a four-year employee and strong union supporter has been fired. This union member was singled out after reporting on the company hotline his concerns about possible leaks in employees’ personal information from GP’s
GP Gypsum Worker in Wheatfield Fired by Company records. While urging workers to report problems on the hotline, it’s apparently a firing offense to say something the company doesn’t like! Even worse, management is trying to block him from getting unemployment benefits to support his family. Even without having a contract in place, members have taken up a collection and are supporting their union brother though the tough times.
‘Weingarten Rights’
A WORKER’S RIGHT TO UNION REPRESENTATION
There is no time like the present to educate ourselves on where we stand as workers at this large company. USW members should be aware of an important legal safeguard that union-represented workers have that nonunion workers do not.
The right of employees to have union representation at investigatory interviews was announced by the U.S. Supreme Court in a 1975 case (NLRB vs. Weingarten, Inc.) These are known as the Weingarten rights.
Employees have Weingarten rights only during investigatory interviews, when a supervisor questions an employee to get information which could be used as a basis for discipline or asks an employee to defend his or her conduct.
If a union worker has a reasonable belief that discipline or other adverse consequences may result from what he or she says, they have the right to request union representation. Management is not required to inform the employee of his/her Weingarten rights; it is the employee’s responsibility to know and request.
When an employee makes the request for a union representative to be present management has three options: (I) stop questioning until the representative arrives, (2) call off the interview or, (3) tell the employee that it will call off the interview unless they voluntarily gives up his/her rights to a union representative (an option employees should refuse.)
Management often tries to say that the only role a union representative has in an investigatory interview is to observe the discussion. The Supreme Court, however, clearly says a representative can assist and counsel workers during the interview.
The Supreme Court also ruled that during an investigatory interview management must inform the union representative of the subject of the interrogation. The representative must also be allowed to speak privately with the employee before the interview. During the questioning, the representative can interrupt to clarify a question or to object to confusing or intimidating tactics.
While the interview is in progress the representative can not tell the employee what to say but he may advise them on how to answer a question. At the end of the interview the union representative can add information to support the employee's case.
Right now, employees who work in a non-union workplace are not entitled to have a coworker accompany them to an interview with their employer, even if they thinks that the interview might result in discipline.
Our Weingarten rights are one more important reason why it pays to be a union member!
GP Union News February 2009
A Fung-y Situation in Wheatfield
Mold cleanup is close to being finished at the Georgia-Pacific Gypsum facility in Wheatfield, Indiana. Black mold is a chronic concern for USW members there, who are still without a union contract two years after voting USW. They’ve been diligently working to resolve the exposure problem. They are breathing a little easier as clean-up of the ceilings and walls moves forward.
One type of mold that may be cause for concern is Stachybotrys: Stachybotrys chartarum (also known as Stachybotrys atra) is a greenish-black mold that grows on materials with high cellulose content (drywall, wood and paper, and dropped ceiling tiles.) This mold, like some others, produces chemicals called mycotoxins under certain conditions. Health effects of breathing
mycotoxins are not well understood.
Here are some important facts about this problem:
• Not all black molds are Stachybotrys, and not all Stachybotrys produces mycotoxins.
• While still alive, Stachybotrys is slimy and does not release many spores or mycotoxins.
• Exposure is low unless it dries up, when spores and mycotoxins are released into the air.
• All indoor molds are potential health hazards and need to be cleaned up.
Allergic reactions, similar to pollen or animal allergies, are the most common health effects of molds. Some workers have symptoms like hay fever and the common cold, but they can last for longer periods. Allergic and toxic illnesses can be treated by getting rid of the mold exposure. Your doctor may also prescribe medication to control symptoms. In addition, some people in wet or moldy buildings may have flu-like symptoms according to the study Molds in Indoor Workplaces by the California Department of Health Services.
If your local has had a similar problem in the past, we’d like to know how it was handled in your facility. There are several ways to address workplace mold and remediation can be a long, drawn out process. We need to keep each other informed about the safety and health risks we experience in our facilities in order to address future problems that may occur. Please email District 7 Sub-District 4 Director Mike O’Brien mobrien@usw.org with updates on safety and health risks you have encountered within Georgia Pacific.
CORRECTION - Mark Cook, Business
Representative for Local 1861-U in Dubuque, Iowa reports that the labor agreement for 87 converting plant workers in Dubuque expires October 31, 2009, and wasn’t listed in the last issue with other USW-GP contract expirations this year.
There’s solidarity in safety!
Sharing Information: Power in Knowledge
USW staff are preparing a new booklet for GP local union members to help get up and running on the SharePoint system on the internet. This password-protected system is available so GP union officers can review union contracts at other locations, phone numbers and email addresses for other GP locals, educational and training material for members and much more. So keep your eyes open for the “SharePoint Users Manual.”
Mold cleanup is close to being finished at the Georgia-Pacific Gypsum facility in Wheatfield, Indiana. Black mold is a chronic concern for USW members there, who are still without a union contract two years after voting USW. They’ve been diligently working to resolve the exposure problem. They are breathing a little easier as clean-up of the ceilings and walls moves forward.
One type of mold that may be cause for concern is Stachybotrys: Stachybotrys chartarum (also known as Stachybotrys atra) is a greenish-black mold that grows on materials with high cellulose content (drywall, wood and paper, and dropped ceiling tiles.) This mold, like some others, produces chemicals called mycotoxins under certain conditions. Health effects of breathing
mycotoxins are not well understood.
Here are some important facts about this problem:
• Not all black molds are Stachybotrys, and not all Stachybotrys produces mycotoxins.
• While still alive, Stachybotrys is slimy and does not release many spores or mycotoxins.
• Exposure is low unless it dries up, when spores and mycotoxins are released into the air.
• All indoor molds are potential health hazards and need to be cleaned up.
Allergic reactions, similar to pollen or animal allergies, are the most common health effects of molds. Some workers have symptoms like hay fever and the common cold, but they can last for longer periods. Allergic and toxic illnesses can be treated by getting rid of the mold exposure. Your doctor may also prescribe medication to control symptoms. In addition, some people in wet or moldy buildings may have flu-like symptoms according to the study Molds in Indoor Workplaces by the California Department of Health Services.
If your local has had a similar problem in the past, we’d like to know how it was handled in your facility. There are several ways to address workplace mold and remediation can be a long, drawn out process. We need to keep each other informed about the safety and health risks we experience in our facilities in order to address future problems that may occur. Please email District 7 Sub-District 4 Director Mike O’Brien mobrien@usw.org with updates on safety and health risks you have encountered within Georgia Pacific.
CORRECTION - Mark Cook, Business
Representative for Local 1861-U in Dubuque, Iowa reports that the labor agreement for 87 converting plant workers in Dubuque expires October 31, 2009, and wasn’t listed in the last issue with other USW-GP contract expirations this year.
There’s solidarity in safety!
Sharing Information: Power in Knowledge
USW staff are preparing a new booklet for GP local union members to help get up and running on the SharePoint system on the internet. This password-protected system is available so GP union officers can review union contracts at other locations, phone numbers and email addresses for other GP locals, educational and training material for members and much more. So keep your eyes open for the “SharePoint Users Manual.”
Thursday, January 22, 2009
GP Union News
Pulp Market Update
The USW has obtained a January 15 report to Deutsche Bank by the TerraChoice Market Service, Inc. entitled “Pulp Market Update.” The report reflects the current drop in prices, but also anticipates a recovery beyond previous price levels in the next few years.
The USW has obtained a January 15 report to Deutsche Bank by the TerraChoice Market Service, Inc. entitled “Pulp Market Update.” The report reflects the current drop in prices, but also anticipates a recovery beyond previous price levels in the next few years.
Here are some of the points made in this industry/financial report:
- World market pulp demand was down 2.8% in 2008, dropping to a low of -9% during the second half of last year.
- Despite many discouraging statistics about the pulp market today, the report predicts that demand will stabilize in the second half of 2009.
- The report says despite supply cuts in 2009, there will be a solid recovery in the years 2010-2012.
USW/GP Contract Expirations for 2009
USW Local Union Location Expiration Date Product
654 West Monroe, LA 1/28/2009 Corrugated Boxes
786 Sterlington, LA 2/28/2009 Nitrogen Fertilizer
1703 Cedar Springs, GA 3/30/2009 Paper
1864 Cedar Springs, GA 3/30/2009 Paper
9-1865 Cedar Springs, GA 3/30/2009 Paper
2-148 Neenah, WI 5/1/2009 Pilot Products
1077 Milan, MI 5/2/2009 Corrugated Boxes
1334 Zachary, LA 6/5/2009 Uncoated Finished Paper, Tissue, Towel
335 Zachary, LA 6/6/2009 Fine Paper/Tissue and Towel
503 Fort Dodge, IA 6/19/2009 Gypsum and Wallboard
776 Duluth, MN 6/30/2009 Hardboard
1522 Talladega, AL 7/31/2009 Plywood
9-530 Hawthorne, FL 8/1/2009 Plywood/Fence Post
13-0174 Pryor, OK 8/17/2009 Board & Felt
140 Plattsburgh, NY 9/30/2009 Tissue/Napkins
387 Plattsburgh, NY 9/30/2009 Tissue, Towel & Napkin
13-0656 Fort Smith, AR 10/5/2009 Cups & Plates
527 Sterling, GA 10/31/2009 Lumber & Chips
1703 Cedar Springs, GA 11/30/2009 Railroad
Thursday, September 18, 2008
GP Union News September 9, 2008
GP Health Care Issues in Spotlight
The USW continues to monitor the health care situation at GP and met with management in August to review renewal rates for 2009. Technicians from the USW Pension & Insurance Dept. were in attendance and will follow up with GP as we move forward. The network issues were also discussed with the following issues reported on:
Regarding the networks, the group reviewed some UHC recruitment issues, including: Albany GA, -- 2 hospitals that are not in UHC network will be treated as in-network; Mt. Olive, IL -- Litchfield family practice, now in-network; Plattsburgh, NY – one hospital at issue now fully in network; Bradford, PA – primary hospital there now in network; Fort Dodge, IA – Trimark primary physicians – negotiations ongoing with UHC to bring them into network; Big Island, VA – lack of specialists and pediatricians in network, some are joining using network gap exception if there are no similar providers within 30 miles.
The company committed to work with UHC for proactive notification of network coverage issues before yearly renewal so that work can be done at the local level if issues arise.
Preventive care was also discussed and how use of the plan benefits in this area might be maximized along with ways to identify health issues and address them before they arise. Also, many doctors are charging some preventive care as surgery rather than preventive care so the 100% coverage for preventive care is not being applied. Members should work with their providers to make sure they bill such procedures as preventive care.
The USW has asked for regular meetings on the health care issues and the company has expressed interest in that as well. Please advise your staff representative of any issues as they arise with the health care and they can be in touch with Leeann Anderson, who is assigned to the GP Conference in this regard.
No Labor Agreement Yet for Wheatfield GP Workers
USW-represented workers at Georgia Pacific’s Wheatfield, Indiana wallboard plant continue to get the runaround from management as they struggle for their first union contract.
A large majority of the men and women at the Wheatfield plant voted in the Spring of 2007 to join fellow GP workers as members of the United Steelworkers. They particularly wanted to eliminate favoritism in the workplace and have the added security of a collective bargaining agreement, as do thousands of other USW members at GP.
Workers there have had more than 14 months of negotiations with the GP management, and still no deal. Instead, the USW members rallying for Wheatfield workerscompany wants wage cuts, fewer vacation days for workers, cuts in funeral leave and other give-backs.
Steelworkers District 7 members are steadily picking up the pace of public demonstrations in support of the Wheatfield GP workers, and will continue to do so until a fair agreement is achieved. Members of the GP Union Conference, representing thousands of GP workers around the country, want the workers in Wheatfield to know that you’re not alone. If progress is not made at the negotiating table soon, we will be looking at more ways to urge GP to do right by the workers in Wheatfield, get off the concessions in contract talks and offer workers a deal they can live with.
AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL!
The USW continues to monitor the health care situation at GP and met with management in August to review renewal rates for 2009. Technicians from the USW Pension & Insurance Dept. were in attendance and will follow up with GP as we move forward. The network issues were also discussed with the following issues reported on:
Regarding the networks, the group reviewed some UHC recruitment issues, including: Albany GA, -- 2 hospitals that are not in UHC network will be treated as in-network; Mt. Olive, IL -- Litchfield family practice, now in-network; Plattsburgh, NY – one hospital at issue now fully in network; Bradford, PA – primary hospital there now in network; Fort Dodge, IA – Trimark primary physicians – negotiations ongoing with UHC to bring them into network; Big Island, VA – lack of specialists and pediatricians in network, some are joining using network gap exception if there are no similar providers within 30 miles.
The company committed to work with UHC for proactive notification of network coverage issues before yearly renewal so that work can be done at the local level if issues arise.
Preventive care was also discussed and how use of the plan benefits in this area might be maximized along with ways to identify health issues and address them before they arise. Also, many doctors are charging some preventive care as surgery rather than preventive care so the 100% coverage for preventive care is not being applied. Members should work with their providers to make sure they bill such procedures as preventive care.
The USW has asked for regular meetings on the health care issues and the company has expressed interest in that as well. Please advise your staff representative of any issues as they arise with the health care and they can be in touch with Leeann Anderson, who is assigned to the GP Conference in this regard.
No Labor Agreement Yet for Wheatfield GP Workers
USW-represented workers at Georgia Pacific’s Wheatfield, Indiana wallboard plant continue to get the runaround from management as they struggle for their first union contract.
A large majority of the men and women at the Wheatfield plant voted in the Spring of 2007 to join fellow GP workers as members of the United Steelworkers. They particularly wanted to eliminate favoritism in the workplace and have the added security of a collective bargaining agreement, as do thousands of other USW members at GP.
Workers there have had more than 14 months of negotiations with the GP management, and still no deal. Instead, the USW members rallying for Wheatfield workerscompany wants wage cuts, fewer vacation days for workers, cuts in funeral leave and other give-backs.
Steelworkers District 7 members are steadily picking up the pace of public demonstrations in support of the Wheatfield GP workers, and will continue to do so until a fair agreement is achieved. Members of the GP Union Conference, representing thousands of GP workers around the country, want the workers in Wheatfield to know that you’re not alone. If progress is not made at the negotiating table soon, we will be looking at more ways to urge GP to do right by the workers in Wheatfield, get off the concessions in contract talks and offer workers a deal they can live with.
AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Pulp Truth -- Issue 16
Unsafe Working Conditions Caught Up to Workers in July
In Pulp Truth issue 15, we reported that Peter Conley of Local 449 in Waterville, Maine, suffered a massive stroke at the Huhtamaki plant where he worked. Brother Conley, 44, died July 23 at Maine Medical Center and left behind three children ages 19, 12 and 5.
In addition to the three July accidents reported in Pulp Truth issue 15, four more incidents occurred in July.
Shortly before midnight on July 18, Local 1017 member Shawn Sharrow was injured when his arm and shoulder were caught in a winder machine at Dunn Paper in Port Huron, Mich.
Sharrow, who was 20 at the time of the incident, was airlifted to the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, where he was listed as critical but stable for four days. He suffered broken bones in his shoulder and neck, cracked ribs, internal injuries and corneal abrasions in both eyes. There was concern about permanent nerve damage to his arm and neck.
Sharrow’s mother, Kim, said doctors at the medical center called his survival a miracle and attributed it to his age and general condition. Sharrow is now back home in Port Huron.
USW Emergency Response Team (ERT) representative Hilary Chiz assisted the family and those who helped with Sharrow’s rescue. USW Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Assistant Director Dave Ortlieb conducted the investigation and provided the company with changes that could be done to prevent a repeat of the incident.
At the NewPage facility in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, Local Union 2-94 member Kurt Resheske, 33, was severely burned July 29 while working near a washer inspection door. He sustained second and third-degree burns over 60 percent of his body. ERT representative Duronda Pope assisted the family and HSE representative Steve Sallman responded to the incident.
On July 29, 2008 a high density recycling fiber storage tank explosion at Packaging Corporation of America’s paper mill in Tomahawk, Wisconsin, fatally injured three employees. The tank that exploded was used to store recycled fiber storage, and the three individuals were engaged in maintenance activities which included welding on the top of the tank’s high density spreader when the explosion occurred. A fourth employee, who was standing on the tank’s catwalk was also injured, but he was treated and released and is recovering from his injuries.
Two of the employees fatally injured in the explosion, Steven C. Voermans, 52, and Randy J. Hoegger, 55, were local union members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1713. The third fatally injured employee was Don Snyder, 46, a salaried employee. The fourth injured employee was a college student and member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1713. ERT representative Duronda Popeand HSE representative Steve Sallman responded to the incident.
After reportedly having a dispute with a supervisor, Edmund Giasson of Local 900 at the NewPage mill in Rumford, Maine, died from a heart attack July 28. Giasson, 53, had worked at the mill close to 30 years and was known to be “very, very serious about his job,” according to local president Gary Hemingway. Giasson had a history of heart problems.
These incidents point to the need for paper mill locals (and later those with converting operations) to fill out the Paper RAP survey they received in mid-August. See story on the next page.
Contracts that Reopened in August
If the re-opener date for your local contract is not listed here, please contact PT editor Lynne Baker at lbaker@usw.org to have your contract listed. Not listed last month was the Temple-Inland Orange, TX contract that expired July 31.
Georgia-Pacific, Monticello, MS, Aug. 1
Georgia-Pacific, Akron, OH, Aug. 1
Georgia-Pacific, Monticello, GA, Aug. 1
International Paper, Geneva, NY, Aug. 1
Corrugated Carton, Newark, NJ, Aug. 1
Schiffenhause Pkg. Corp. North, Suffern, NY, Aug. 1
Pactiv Corporation, Red Bluff, CA, Aug. 1
Schiffenhause Pkg. Corp. South, Newark, NJ, Aug. 1
Schweitzer-Maudit, Ancram, NY, Aug. 1
RTS Packaging, Merced, CA, Aug. 1
Smurfit-Stone Cont., St. Cloud, MN, Aug. 1
Temple-Inland, Gilroy, CA, Aug. 1
Weyerhaeuser Co., Anaheim, CA, Aug. 1
Precision Products, College Park, MD, Aug. 6
Sonoco, Hutchinson, KS, Aug. 6
Shelby Co., Westlake, OH, Aug. 6
International Paper/Shorewood Pkg., Waterbury, CT, Aug. 7
International Paper (div), Pineville, LA, Aug. 10
Rand Whitney, Worcester, MA, Aug. 11
Georgia-Pacific, Memphis, TN, Aug. 15
Mill Leaders Must Complete Paper RAP Health & Safety Survey
“The time for after-the-fact investigation is over. We must take a proactive approach to ensure paper workers don’t lose their life or get injured when they go to work,” said International Vice President Jon Geenen.
Around August 19, each local union president of a mill received the Paper RAP health and safety survey that VP Geenen’s comment refers to. The survey’s success depends on a very high response rate. So:
• If you are paper mill leadership, please prioritize completing the survey.
• If you work in a paper mill, please offer to assist the local leadership to accomplish this important task.
• If you work in a converter within a council that has mills, encourage mill leadership to get this done. (FYI: We’ll later focus on converters.)
A few things about the survey:
• Complete one survey per mill
• Get input from key members as needed
•Make the September 12, 2008 deadline
• For another copy, contact Joyce Russotto (920-722-1085; jrussotto@usw.org) or your international representative.
Together, we will use the survey’s results to leverage change at the local, industry and national policy levels to protect our brothers and sisters.
A Model in Coordinated Bargaining: U.S. Steel Agreement
The new tentative, four-year agreement at U.S. Steel shows what is possible when collective bargaining evolves and we coordinate our strength.
Workers obtained very significant wage hikes and substantial bonus and pension increases. Benefit programs were improved for active and retired employees, and health care premiums were reduced for retirees.
Job security was improved by a requirement in the tentative agreement that U.S. Steel make capital investments in its plants so that they can compete in the world economy. The contract also looks toward the future by creating an “Energy Efficiency and Carbon Emissions Task Force” to address the threat of global warming and its impact on the steel industry.
Another job security provision in the agreement is that the outsourcing of work will return to the jurisdiction of USW members.
The tentative agreement covers some 16,000 workers employed at 14 U.S. Steel locations.
PCA Mill Global Agreement Secures Workers’ Future
A new five-year global agreement negotiated with Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) contains wage increases totaling 13.75 percent, increases pension and other benefits, maintains existing health care plans and premiums, offers job security and makes it easier to organize nonunion PCA facilities.
The agreement covers about 1,200 workers at four PCA mills in Valdosta, Ga., Counce, Tenn., Filer City, Mich., and Tomahawk, Wisc. USW members at the four mills overwhelmingly approved the contract in a vote on Aug. 14.
Items not covered in the master agreement are negotiated at local union bargaining tables upon renewal of the local union’s contract. If an agreement is not reached on these items, the renewal contract remains unchanged. This prevents management from imposing contract terms on the local union. The local union renewal contracts are also five years in length.
Health care benefits and employees’ 20 percent contribution toward health care premiums were locked in immediately after ratification of the global agreement for the period of the local union contract. Also enacted upon ratification was a contract and job protection clause in case a PCA facility is sold; a restriction to work force reductions unless a facility is partially or completely shut down; and a ban on negative attacks during organizing campaigns.
Increases in wages, pensions, short-term disability benefits, life/accidental death and dismemberment benefits and retiree life insurance benefits will occur the day after the expiration of the current local union agreements. The monthly service multiplier for mill workers’ pensions will be increased by $6 to $46.62, which is one of the highest flat dollar pension benefits in the industry. Short-term disability benefits will be increased $70 over the term of the renewal contracts. Life/accidental death and dismemberment benefits will increase a total of $9,000. Retiree life insurance benefits will be secured at $10,250.
In Pulp Truth issue 15, we reported that Peter Conley of Local 449 in Waterville, Maine, suffered a massive stroke at the Huhtamaki plant where he worked. Brother Conley, 44, died July 23 at Maine Medical Center and left behind three children ages 19, 12 and 5.
In addition to the three July accidents reported in Pulp Truth issue 15, four more incidents occurred in July.
Shortly before midnight on July 18, Local 1017 member Shawn Sharrow was injured when his arm and shoulder were caught in a winder machine at Dunn Paper in Port Huron, Mich.
Sharrow, who was 20 at the time of the incident, was airlifted to the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, where he was listed as critical but stable for four days. He suffered broken bones in his shoulder and neck, cracked ribs, internal injuries and corneal abrasions in both eyes. There was concern about permanent nerve damage to his arm and neck.
Sharrow’s mother, Kim, said doctors at the medical center called his survival a miracle and attributed it to his age and general condition. Sharrow is now back home in Port Huron.
USW Emergency Response Team (ERT) representative Hilary Chiz assisted the family and those who helped with Sharrow’s rescue. USW Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Assistant Director Dave Ortlieb conducted the investigation and provided the company with changes that could be done to prevent a repeat of the incident.
At the NewPage facility in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, Local Union 2-94 member Kurt Resheske, 33, was severely burned July 29 while working near a washer inspection door. He sustained second and third-degree burns over 60 percent of his body. ERT representative Duronda Pope assisted the family and HSE representative Steve Sallman responded to the incident.
On July 29, 2008 a high density recycling fiber storage tank explosion at Packaging Corporation of America’s paper mill in Tomahawk, Wisconsin, fatally injured three employees. The tank that exploded was used to store recycled fiber storage, and the three individuals were engaged in maintenance activities which included welding on the top of the tank’s high density spreader when the explosion occurred. A fourth employee, who was standing on the tank’s catwalk was also injured, but he was treated and released and is recovering from his injuries.
Two of the employees fatally injured in the explosion, Steven C. Voermans, 52, and Randy J. Hoegger, 55, were local union members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1713. The third fatally injured employee was Don Snyder, 46, a salaried employee. The fourth injured employee was a college student and member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1713. ERT representative Duronda Popeand HSE representative Steve Sallman responded to the incident.
After reportedly having a dispute with a supervisor, Edmund Giasson of Local 900 at the NewPage mill in Rumford, Maine, died from a heart attack July 28. Giasson, 53, had worked at the mill close to 30 years and was known to be “very, very serious about his job,” according to local president Gary Hemingway. Giasson had a history of heart problems.
These incidents point to the need for paper mill locals (and later those with converting operations) to fill out the Paper RAP survey they received in mid-August. See story on the next page.
Contracts that Reopened in August
If the re-opener date for your local contract is not listed here, please contact PT editor Lynne Baker at lbaker@usw.org to have your contract listed. Not listed last month was the Temple-Inland Orange, TX contract that expired July 31.
Georgia-Pacific, Monticello, MS, Aug. 1
Georgia-Pacific, Akron, OH, Aug. 1
Georgia-Pacific, Monticello, GA, Aug. 1
International Paper, Geneva, NY, Aug. 1
Corrugated Carton, Newark, NJ, Aug. 1
Schiffenhause Pkg. Corp. North, Suffern, NY, Aug. 1
Pactiv Corporation, Red Bluff, CA, Aug. 1
Schiffenhause Pkg. Corp. South, Newark, NJ, Aug. 1
Schweitzer-Maudit, Ancram, NY, Aug. 1
RTS Packaging, Merced, CA, Aug. 1
Smurfit-Stone Cont., St. Cloud, MN, Aug. 1
Temple-Inland, Gilroy, CA, Aug. 1
Weyerhaeuser Co., Anaheim, CA, Aug. 1
Precision Products, College Park, MD, Aug. 6
Sonoco, Hutchinson, KS, Aug. 6
Shelby Co., Westlake, OH, Aug. 6
International Paper/Shorewood Pkg., Waterbury, CT, Aug. 7
International Paper (div), Pineville, LA, Aug. 10
Rand Whitney, Worcester, MA, Aug. 11
Georgia-Pacific, Memphis, TN, Aug. 15
Mill Leaders Must Complete Paper RAP Health & Safety Survey
“The time for after-the-fact investigation is over. We must take a proactive approach to ensure paper workers don’t lose their life or get injured when they go to work,” said International Vice President Jon Geenen.
Around August 19, each local union president of a mill received the Paper RAP health and safety survey that VP Geenen’s comment refers to. The survey’s success depends on a very high response rate. So:
• If you are paper mill leadership, please prioritize completing the survey.
• If you work in a paper mill, please offer to assist the local leadership to accomplish this important task.
• If you work in a converter within a council that has mills, encourage mill leadership to get this done. (FYI: We’ll later focus on converters.)
A few things about the survey:
• Complete one survey per mill
• Get input from key members as needed
•Make the September 12, 2008 deadline
• For another copy, contact Joyce Russotto (920-722-1085; jrussotto@usw.org) or your international representative.
Together, we will use the survey’s results to leverage change at the local, industry and national policy levels to protect our brothers and sisters.
A Model in Coordinated Bargaining: U.S. Steel Agreement
The new tentative, four-year agreement at U.S. Steel shows what is possible when collective bargaining evolves and we coordinate our strength.
Workers obtained very significant wage hikes and substantial bonus and pension increases. Benefit programs were improved for active and retired employees, and health care premiums were reduced for retirees.
Job security was improved by a requirement in the tentative agreement that U.S. Steel make capital investments in its plants so that they can compete in the world economy. The contract also looks toward the future by creating an “Energy Efficiency and Carbon Emissions Task Force” to address the threat of global warming and its impact on the steel industry.
Another job security provision in the agreement is that the outsourcing of work will return to the jurisdiction of USW members.
The tentative agreement covers some 16,000 workers employed at 14 U.S. Steel locations.
PCA Mill Global Agreement Secures Workers’ Future
A new five-year global agreement negotiated with Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) contains wage increases totaling 13.75 percent, increases pension and other benefits, maintains existing health care plans and premiums, offers job security and makes it easier to organize nonunion PCA facilities.
The agreement covers about 1,200 workers at four PCA mills in Valdosta, Ga., Counce, Tenn., Filer City, Mich., and Tomahawk, Wisc. USW members at the four mills overwhelmingly approved the contract in a vote on Aug. 14.
Items not covered in the master agreement are negotiated at local union bargaining tables upon renewal of the local union’s contract. If an agreement is not reached on these items, the renewal contract remains unchanged. This prevents management from imposing contract terms on the local union. The local union renewal contracts are also five years in length.
Health care benefits and employees’ 20 percent contribution toward health care premiums were locked in immediately after ratification of the global agreement for the period of the local union contract. Also enacted upon ratification was a contract and job protection clause in case a PCA facility is sold; a restriction to work force reductions unless a facility is partially or completely shut down; and a ban on negative attacks during organizing campaigns.
Increases in wages, pensions, short-term disability benefits, life/accidental death and dismemberment benefits and retiree life insurance benefits will occur the day after the expiration of the current local union agreements. The monthly service multiplier for mill workers’ pensions will be increased by $6 to $46.62, which is one of the highest flat dollar pension benefits in the industry. Short-term disability benefits will be increased $70 over the term of the renewal contracts. Life/accidental death and dismemberment benefits will increase a total of $9,000. Retiree life insurance benefits will be secured at $10,250.
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