United+Steelworkers+rally+to+demand+justice+at+SAPPI+USA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—MEDIA ADVISORY

 * May 5, 2006**

Contact**: Lynne Baker**, USW communications, 615/831-6782, (cell) 615/828-6169
 * Howard Scott**, USW strategic campaigns, (cell) 412/580-6980

=United Steelworkers rally to demand justice at SAPPI=


 * Pittsburgh**—United Steelworkers (USW) members, trade unionists, labor activists and representatives from the Greater Boston Central Labor Council and Massachusetts Jobs with Justice will turn out in force in front of SAPPI Fine Paper’s North American headquarters to demand the company negotiate a fair contract with its US mills in Westbrook and Skowhegan, Maine, Muskegon, Mich., and Cloquet, Minn. A petition signed by SAPPI workers will be delivered to management. South African labor leader Pasco Dyani will discuss how SAPPI treats its South African workers and how workers from the US and South Africa share common interests.


 * WHAT**: Rally to demand justice at SAPPI Fine Paper company

Noon – 1 p.m.
 * WHEN**: Monday, May 8, 2006

SAPPI Fine Paper North American headquarters
 * WHERE**: 225 Franklin Street, Boston

Bill Pienta, Director, USW District 4 Gary Cook, Co-director, USW District 4 Rich Rogers, Financial Secretary, Greater Boston Labor Council Bob Haynes, President, Massachusetts AFL-CIO Ed Gorham, President, Maine AFL-CIO Pasco Dyani, President, CEPPWAWU, South Africa’s Sappi union
 * WHO**: Dick LaCosse, USW International Vice President


 * WHY**: SAPPI workers have been without a new contract for several years in some locations, and are fighting to maintain good-paying jobs with decent retirement and health care benefits in their communities. SAPPI, in contrast, wants to shift the burden of health care onto their employees, deny retirees promised medical benefits, contract out jobs and put in place two-tiered benefit programs that penalize younger workers.