PITTSBURGH, Sept. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Steelworkers (USW) members at four Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) mills have voted by a 7-to-1 margin to ratify a new contract with the company.

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The four-year master global economic and security agreement will cover about 1,200 workers at mills in Valdosta, Ga., Counce, Tenn., Filer City, Mich., and Tomahawk, Wis.

"This agreement will allow PCA to remain competitive in in a challenging market, while maintaining good jobs and continuing to ensure a solid economic future for USW members," said USW International President Leo W. Gerard.

The agreement includes annual wage increases of 2.5 percent, increased retirement security, and improved life insurance and sick and accident benefits, while taking several steps forward on plant health and safety issues.

"We were determined to build on our previous successes," said USW International Vice President Jon Geenen, who oversees the union's paper bargaining. "We've proven that by working together, we can meet any challenge."

The new contract also maintains the current industry-leading health and dental benefits, and offers vision benefits for the first time.

"These negotiations were about security – about preserving good wages and top-notch benefits for workers for the long term, while ensuring continued viability and growth at PCA's mills," said Leeann Foster, the union's PCA bargaining chair. 

The USW represents 850,000 members in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It is the largest private-sector union in North America, representing workers in a range of industries including metals, mining, rubber, paper and forestry, oil refining, health care, security, hotels, and municipal governments and agencies.

CONTACT: Leeann Foster, 412-225-5964, lfoster@usw.org Jon Geenen, 920-540-5921, jgeenen@usw.org

SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)

RELATED LINKShttp://www.usw.org