Blog

Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties on Coated and Uncoated Paper Imports

Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties on Coated and Uncoated Paper Imports – An Update on our Continuing Work on Trade in the Paper Sector –

USW Local 787 – Rayonier Advanced Materials – Jessup, GA – Subcontracting Arbitration Award

The employer subcontracted maintenance work. 7 of 14 maintenance support utility workers
had retired and the employer had not filled the vacancies. When the employer

ND Paper to Acquire Resolute Forest Products Recycled Bleached Kraft Pulp Mill in Fairmont, WV for $55 Million

Resolute Forest Products announced that it will be selling its recycled bleached kraft pulp mill in Fairmont, WV to ND Paper for $55 million.

Georgia Pacific – Crossett, AR

On December 6, 2016, a member of local 3-369 received multiple injuries and a fractured leg while working at Georgia Pacific in Crossett, AR. The complete details are unknown, but preliminary information is that an Operator 1 in the Woodyard assisted a contractor in changing a tire for the railcar mover. As the contractor was airing up the tire, the multi-pieced rim wheel came apart and struck the Operator causing serious multiple injuries.

Valmet Fined Again After Man Falls Approximately 23 Feet into Pulping Machine

Valmet Ltd Supplied All the Mill Machinery at the Paper Mill 

PCA Council Participates in Safety Training under OSHA Grant to Prevent Fatalities in the Paper Industry

On November 30th, the PCA Council became the second paper council to go through safety training as part of the OSHA Harwood Grant to Prevent Fatalities in the Paper Industry received by the USW’s Tony Mazzochi Center. The Council began with a discussion on the pressing safety issues at each of the mill and converting locations and discovered many commonalities in their comments.

Keep it Made in America this Season with AAM’s 2016 Gift Guide

 The Alliance for American Manufacturing’s 2016 Made in America Holiday Gift Guide has been unveiled. The guide features an array of American-made ideas from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. We know it isn’t always easy to find American-made items at the mall or the big box stores. But by making sure there are at least a few American-made things on your list, you’ll help create jobs and support American workers.

USW Local 2-1170 – Neenah Paper – Neenah, WI – Attendance Policy

The employer changed its attendance policy so that leaving early for getting sick, a family emergency or an appointment would require a doctor’s excuse or result in discipline. The new plant manager determined that absenteeism was a problem. The CBA only required a doctor’s note when employees leave on holiday. The section that the employer relies upon cannot be used to justify the change in policy, since it requires 4 hours’ notice for a necessary absence – getting sick at work or a family emergency does not allow for such notice. Award: grievance granted.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership is dead, Schumer tells labor leaders

The Senate’s soon-to-be top Democrat told labor leaders Thursday that the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the trade deal at the center of President Obama’s “pivot” to strengthen ties with key Asian allies, will not be ratified by Congress.

Senators Join USW in Calling for Rejection of Chinese Acquisition of U.S. Aluminum Company Aleris

USW International President Leo W. Gerard released the following statement last week commending a group of 12 senators, led by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), who appealed to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. The letter calls for the rejection of the bid by Zhongwang USA, a Chinese-controlled company, to purchase Aleris, a U.S. aluminum producer. While this potential acquisition is not a part of the paper sector, Chinese companies have also been targeting paper mills in the U.S.

US Trade Case Duty Issue Intensifies

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) held two hearings in the month of October, and one more will be considered next month, as part of the five-year (sunset) review process. The Department of Commerce reviews requests that interested parties file to discuss the likely effects of revoking the order under review. Early this year, the US ITC finalized countervailing and dumping duties on producers of cutsize office/copy paper from Australia, Brazil, China, Indonesia and Portugal.