Joint+Statement+of+CEPPWAWU+and+USW


 * Joint Statement of**




 * United Steel, Paper & Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial & Service Workers International Union** (USW)


 * //and//**




 * Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood & Allied Workers Union** (CEPPWAWU)

Throughout the world ruthless corporations scheme to reduce the living standards of workers wherever they set up operations. Regardless of their base of operations these entities have no concern for family or community or country; they have only one loyalty – money.

One such company is Sappi, Ltd. (known during the Apartheid era as South African Pulp & Paper Industries, Ltd.), a paper company based in the Republic of South Africa, and operating plants in South Africa, Europe and the United States. Sappi has in many ways disgraced itself with its shameful treatment of workers on all three continents.

Our two unions represent the majority of Sappi’s blue-collar workers in the United States and South Africa.

In South Africa, Sappi has persisted with echoes of South Africa’s racist past, failing in its obligation to train blue-collar workers for higher skilled jobs, and continues an unwillingness to hire black workers for positions requiring greater skill or having higher responsibility.

Sappi has refused to equalize salaries between managers and workers, and has refused to accept the union’s representation of maintenance and white-collar workers, in spite of the wishes of these workers to join CEPPWAWU.

In the United States, Sappi tries to cut into the health benefits and pension rights of workers, and continues its attempt to cut workers’ take-home pay. It persists in trying to offer different terms of agreement to USW members at different mills, in spite of the workers’ clear common interest.

All over the world Sappi works to impose a failed health and safety model on the workers.

Because of Sappi’s unwillingness to work constructively with workers, it is unable to be successful on its own terms – it is more and more unable to turn a profit.

In North America, Sappi suffers from high turnover at all levels of the corporation. Everywhere, Sappi’s unfair tactics and high-handed ways make it difficult for the workers who remain.

For these reasons our two unions pledge strong mutual support in our efforts to meet the needs of our members at Sappi, and pledge to take strong concrete steps at all levels of our unions to realize our mutual goals and to change Sappi’s harmful practices.

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