Covington Paperworkers Union, Local 675 July 30, 2014

Union Meetings
Regular Membership Meetings are held on the first and third
Thursdays of each month at 12pm, 3pm and 5pm. The meetings
for next month will be held on August 7
th
and August 21
st
.
THE BARKING DOG
Passing of the Gavel
New Officers Installed
George Catlett, Recording Secretary
The newly elected Executive Board Officers of the CPU Local 675 were sworn into office on June 5,
2014. Alfred Paxton, President of the Westvaco Retirees Association, administered the oath.
The Executive Board consists of some familiar faces and many new faces, but all are determined and
loyal to the hourly workers at the Covington Mill. The new officers will hit the road running with
pending arbitrations, reuniting the union, insurance issues, and next year, contract negotiations.
It has been my pleasure and honor to serve the hourly workers at the mill. I will be around to assist
President Booth during this transition. However, we need ALL of the hourly workforce to stand
behind the Union and this committee, says outgoing President Tony Markland. Thank you Tony
and all the rest of the outgoing officers for your time, heart, and soul that you have given and will
continue to give.
Elected Executive Board officers are: President Bob Booth, 1
st
Vice President Gary Wilkerson, 2
nd
Vice
President Heather Williams, 1
st
Committeeman Michael Seldomridge, 2
nd
Committeeman Tommy
Hubbard, Job Analyst Tommy Meeks, Financial Secretary Treasurer Toni Rhodenizer, Recording
Secretary George Catlett, 1
st
Trustee Craig Poague, 2
nd
Trustee Terry Simpson, 3
rd
Trustee Mark Nida,
4
th
Trustee TJ Sparks, Seargeant-at-Arms Jason Burns, Chaplain James Parker and Safety Director
Trenia Critzer.



Covington Paperworkers Union, Local 675

July 30, 2014
2
George Catlett, Recording Secretary
Greg Pallesen, Vice President of the AWPPW, attended a news conference in Olympia, WA on June 16, 2014.
This news conference was pertaining to the water quality standards and fish consumption for Washington
State.
Why does that matter here in VA? The water standards set in the western states normally set the standard in
the rest of the country. Fish consumption is a key element of what determines water quality standards.
Not too many years ago, fish consumption in the Jackson River below the mill was restricted because of dioxin
levels. Since the mill has improved its water releases, that restriction has been lifted.
In Washington State, the fish consumption standard is about 6.5 grams a day, about the size of eating a small
fish fillet a month. The EPA is telling Washington that the current level is not high enough to sufficiently
protect people who eat a lot of fish. Which, in this case, would be the Pacific Islanders and the Native
Americans who live there.
If Washington State does not set a new EPA approved standard by the end of the year, then the EPA will set
the standard. Washington State is considering raising that fish consumption rate to between 125 and 225 grams
of fish a day. Oregon set its rate at 175 grams a day, the highest for a U.S. state. The problem with such high
levels is that it is difficult, if not impossible, to obtain with current technology. That could mean that jobs in
aerospace, paper, and others could be lost.
Greg Pallesen responded in the news conference, The proposed water quality rules and regulations are not a
solution, the proposed rules and regulations will actually become part of the problem. The unreasonable and
unattainable water quality standards will do little other than cause the loss of family wage jobs in our state
along with setting up a process for years of litigation. We should be focused on dealing with the biggest
sources negatively impacting our water quality; such as runoff from roads, highways, and bridges, which are a
source of significant contributions of pollutants to our nation's waters along with storm water runoff and
discharges from waste water treatment facilities.
If the proposed water quality standards become a reality we won't see any new expansion of forestry related
"green jobs" in our state. Instead we will see some of the few remaining facilities we have permanently closed,
the equipment dismantled then shipped overseas to be reassembled then brought back on line producing the
very same products that we manufacture here.
The majority of the manufacturing jobs here will be moved to China. China now produces more paper
products than anyone in the world. The United States currently has some of the most stringent environmental
regulations in the world while China has very few regulations and those that China has are rarely enforced. If
the proposed water quality regulation passes we will lose jobs, we will lose a significant source of our tax base
and we will end up causing an increase in long lasting environmental damage.
This is not just a Washington state issue. In Oregon a study in 2008 provided scientific data that China was the
5th largest source of mercury being dumped into the Willamette water basin; the mercury reaching the west
coast in the form of acid rain. A study by the National Academy of Sciences of the U.S. reports on a daily basis,
the export-related Chinese pollution contributes up to 24% of sulfate concentrations over the western United
States. Imagine how much acid rain is being dumped into the Pacific Ocean before the acid rain reaches us.
We all live and work in these affected communities. We hunt and fish and enjoy the natural environment that
Why Is Fish Consumption So Important?

Continued


Covington Paperworkers Union, Local 675

July 30, 2014

3
In the past, there existed a temporary and mutual agreement between
the Company and the Union to conduct grievance business outside of
the timelines set forth in the Bargaining Agreement. The Union has
sent notice to the Company emphasizing that we are no longer
agreeable to this practice and expect both parties to comply with the
grievance language agreed to in Article XVI of the Labor Agreement.
As members of the Union, we need to be aware of the language in
Article XVI, as we process grievances. While the language allows a 60
day window from the time of the incident to commit the grievance to
writing, the best practice will be to collect all relevant data and
prepare the grievance as soon as possible. A printable grievance fact
sheet can be found on the forum at cpu675.org. The fact sheet will be
convenient for recording details soon after an incident occurs. It
would be a good practice to print a few fact sheets and have them
handy in your work area.
Stewards, or members, who receive a Second Step Answer from the
Company, should deliver the answer to the Union Hall ASAP. This
will ensure that an unfavorable Second Step Answer can proceed to
the Third Step in a timely manner.
Filing Grievances:
Timeliness Matters
makes Washington so special.
We want to protect the
environment, but these
proposed regulations are just too
extreme and would cost too
many jobs across our state all
while failing to improve the
environment of our planet.
Do we have Islanders or Indians
here in VA? Maybe not
Islanders, but we do have Native
American Tribes, especially
along Eastern VA. This doesnt
apply only to them; it could be
ANY race of people. Guess
where the Jackson River flow
ends? It joins the Cowpasture
River to form the James River
and then flows into one of the
largest fisheries in the country,
the Chesapeake Bay.
Fish Consumption
(continued)
Arbitrators Ruling Falls Short
An arbitrators ruling upheld the Unions Settlement Desired in grievances protesting the Companys actions in
informing workers that they could be placed on different tours, unless they revoked their refusals. The
Company felt that the decision did not require placing the two members who initiated the grievance back on
their originally refused schedules. The Companys stance initiated a series of events attempting to clarify the
intent of the ruling. Seeking clarity, an attorney drafted a letter, on behalf of the Union and to the arbitrator,
seeking a full understanding of the decision. The arbitrator pointed to the CEASE AND DESIST language in
the Settlement Desired and stated, in part, The Award clearly is prospective, not retroactive
The fact that the ruling can benefit our members, who may find themselves in a similar situation, does little to
assuage the feelings of the members who originally filed these grievances seeking to protect their rights of
refusal. Considering that the ruling supports the Unions belief that the Companys actions were wrong, you
would think that an honorable employer would seek to make things right for the original filers. To date, the
Company has taken no steps towards correcting their actions, in this instance.
On new issues going forward, it appears that the burden will fall on the Union to compel the Company to do
the right thing. The Companys actions, in this case, do not indicate a willingness to voluntarily choose the
right path even when it is right in front of them.


Covington Paperworkers Union, Local 675

July 30, 2014
4


Covington Paperworkers Union, Local 675

July 30, 2014

5
First Few Weeks at the Hall

Bob Booth, President
First, I would like to thank Tony Markland for his assistance, during my transition to work at the Union
Hall. I would also like to commend the membership on electing an excellent group of officers. Your
Grievance Committee (myself, VP Wilkerson, VP Williams, Committeeman Seldomridge, Committeeman
Hubbard and Job Analyst Meeks) have put in some work on outstanding and new grievances. This is a
dedicated, all-around great group to work with. Safety Director Critzer has been active in several critical
matters, as well. I dont want to take up too much space on this. I just wanted to share that we have a solid
Executive Board working hard for our members.
Arbitration News- A grievance concerning improper medical placement has been settled on a non-
precedent setting basis to the satisfaction of the affected member, Union and Company. This settlement
cannot be presented as evidence by the Union, or the Company, in future cases. This grievance had been
scheduled for arbitration in August. While the Union remains confident that the details of this case made it
an excellent grievance to present at arbitration, we are pleased that our member (for whom the grievance
was originally filed) will be able to retain medical placement benefits and work in his preferred department.
The Union and Company have agreed to arbitrate the Carbon Merger, and several related grievances, on
October 28, 2014.
The Company and Union have completed arbitrator selection for a scheduling grievance in GMS&S. We
also have agreed on an arbitrator to hear two grievances concerning improper overtime payment in
Maintenance. Dates for arbitration, in these cases, have not been determined, yet.
MetLife Issues- Some people have been having trouble with their A&S benefits through MetLife. The
problems have revolved around communication. In some instances, MetLife has been unreachable, and
unresponsive to messages left, when people are trying to submit necessary documentation to receive
benefits. The Union presented these issues during our L/M Meeting. Human Resources reported that they
have received assistance from corporate to deal with these issues. HR also reported that they now have a
direct contact at MetLife. If you run into similar problems, notify HR. They have indicated that they are
now equipped to handle these issues.
12 Hour Scheduling- As you know, the Company (not the Union) terminated the trial period for 12 Hour
Shifts. The Union has informed the Company that we are available for 12 Hour Scheduling discussions. If
you do not hear 12 Hour Scheduling news, it is because the Company hasnt taken us up on our offer to
meet. We will report any news on 12 Hour Shifts, if/as it develops.
Maintenance- An excellent group of members from our Maintenance Departments have begun catching me
up to speed on items that need attention in their areas. We still need to ensure that we receive input from all
of the crafts/areas, but I feel we have clearly defined some concerns that need addressed. A more efficient
Maintenance Overtime Procedure (addition of secondary crafts) and backfilling for pop-up positions are a
couple of examples.
Well do our best to keep you informed on these, and other, issues as they progress. Looking forward to
seeing you at the Union Meetings.


Covington Paperworkers Union, Local 675 July 30, 2014

Covington Paperworkers Union
424 West Prospect Street
Covington, VA 24426
Phone: (540)962-5799
FAX: (540)962-7496
Email: cpu675@ntelos.net
Website: cpu675.org
CPU 675 Office Manager, Sarah Sparks
Since we are in the process of re-launching our website, I want to let you know that by registering for the
forum, you have access to a lot of good information. We have created a tab where you will find commonly
used forms and important information (with the opportunity to print in case you cannot make it to the Union
Hall) such as membership applications, short-term disability claim forms, and how to file for the company
A&S benefit. Our website can be found at cpu675.org. You must make an account to view the forum. To
register, click on forum at the main page, then in the top right hand corner click on register.
I am going to try and highlight an important/hot topic every month. This month I want to touch on making
changes to your health insurance. The only time you can do this during the year, except at open enrollment, is
when you have a life-changing event. A life-changing event includes, but is
not limited to, the following: birth of a child, adoption of a child, marriage,
divorce, and death. Life changing events also include any changes in the
employment status of your dependents that affect their eligibility for
benefits. Basically, if your spouse or children lose or gain the option to have
health insurance through their employer, it is a life-changing event. When
in doubt, call the Benefits Resource Center (Hewitt) at 800-540-4272. But
please remember, you only have 31 days from the date of the event to make
changes. This is very important for the birth of children. You MUST call and add them within 31 days of their
birth even if they have not received their social security number yet.
From the Desk of the Office Manager

Our website can be
found at cpu675.org




CPU 675 welcomes the following new members who joined since the first of the year:
Ben Taylor, Jason Gibson, Brandon Ratliff, Chris Smith, Nick Baker, Greg Fox, Terrie Caul,
Cameron Barner, Carleigh Ailstock, Sterling Coles, Gerald Black, Ryan Markham, Charles Kaptis,
Chris Daugherty, Richard Boggess, Jesse Crislip, Scott Ryder, Troy Shue, James Baldwin,
Robert Hanna, Brett Kees, Lynn Robertson, David Glick, Tyson Uzzell, Lewis Kirby,
Ronnie Whitmore, Julie Toombs, Kenny Liptrap and Justin Glover.