An offer by the MeadWestvaco paper mill plant in Cottonton was rejected by members of three unions during negotiations late last week.
However, a worker strike had yet to occur as of Monday, according to Alison von Puschendorf, director of public relations.
“They have not walked off the job by any means. They have not issued a 48-hour strike notice,” she said Friday. “The offer was rejected last night. However, we are re-voting on Monday.” Results of the vote were not available by press deadline.
The offer proposed to union workers Thursday is part of a current contract with MeadWestvaco.
“The average straight-time rate for Mahrt’s hourly employees is in excess of $25 per hour and the average annual salary, including overtime, for Mahrt’s hourly employees is in excess of $73,000,” said von Puschendorf in a press release. “MWV’s offer also increases pension by 16 percent to $50 per month for each year of service over the life of the agreement. … The proposed plan increases the company-paid portion of the insurance premium from 75 percent to 80 percent, lowering the employee’s share from 25 percent to 20 percent.”
Three unions are participating in the negotiations: Local 1972 Maintenance, Local 1471 Pulp and Local 971 Paper.
Read more on this story in the midweek edition of The Tribune avaliable Tuesday (Nov. 11).
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