GRAND RAPIDS — Negotiations are expected to resume Tuesday, July 18, between striking union paper mill workers and UPM Blandin management.
In an emailed statement Monday, a UPM North American spokesperson reported the next steps as operations remain shut down. A total of 166 members of Teamsters Local No. 346 are on strike, accounting for 80% of the plant’s workforce. Groups of workers continue to picket in several locations in Grand Rapids near UPM Blandin.
“We remain hopeful that we can move forward and reach an agreement,” the statement read.
Union President Jeff Oveson confirmed bargaining would take place Tuesday. During a phone interview Saturday, Oveson said workers are demanding better wages, elimination of a two-tier system of benefits for newer employees and changes to staffing levels. Spiking overtime hours are leading to what Oveson characterized as dangerous working conditions for overtired production workers.
According to Oveson, union members recently rejected an offer from the company and learned negotiations weren’t planned to continue until August.
“The members were very clear that if they’re not high enough on the employers’ priority list to bargain with, that providing labor was something they weren’t interested in,” Oveson said. “So until the employer is prepared to bargain a fair contract with us, we will be withholding our labor.”
“We remain hopeful that we can move forward and reach an agreement."UPM Blandin
Employees are also frustrated due to the recent history of reductions in the mill’s production, he said. Oveson said employees would remain on strike as long as it takes.
In its communications about the strike, the company has not addressed any specific claims made by union leadership.
According to UPM’s website, UPM Blandin employs 230 people and produces 230,000 metric tons of coated magazine and catalog paper each year. Oveson said 166 of those employees are union members.
Oveson said this is the first strike ever authorized by Teamsters union members at the mill, which has been a major employer and central feature of the city of Grand Rapids since 1901.
