News From USW: Sappi Paper Plant Workers at Westbrook and Skowhegan, Maine, Vote to Accept New Union Contracts.

PITTSBURGH -- News From USW: After a protracted contract campaign, union workers at two Maine paper mills owned by Sappi Fine Paper North America voted this week to accept the terms of labor agreements that they say will provide regular pay raises, strong family health insurance and other long-term improvements in the terms of employment for workers.

United Steelworkers Vice President Dick LaCosse, who leads the union's paper industry efforts, said, "The majority of union members at both plants voted to accept terms on offers that we feel address the needs of both workers and management. It is our sincere hope that these agreements represent the beginning of a new and mutually productive relationship."

LaCosse said the union gained a commitment from the company that negotiations will be more congenial at Sappi's other two paper mills in Cloquet, Minn. and Muskegon, Mich., where contract talks will take place in September.

The United Steelworkers represents more than 850,000 North American workers in paper, forest products, steel, metals, chemicals, rubber, glass, and other manufacturing and service industries.