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Mississippi sawmill workers vote to join the USW
Learn how 140 workers at Big River Forest Products joined the United Steelworkers to improve their working conditions.
VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — About 140 workers at Big River Forest Products voted today to join the United Steelworkers (USW), becoming the latest work force in the South to unionize in the fight for better working conditions and stronger communities.
The workers serve in a variety of roles, including operator and mechanic, at the 2-year-old sawmill. While the workers fuel the success of the mill with their skill and dedication, management refuses to invest in them.
“More and more workers across the South are doing what our new members at Big River elected to do—leverage the power of solidarity and collective action to build better lives,” observed USW International President Roxanne D. Brown.
“The entire community benefits from a union contract,” she added, noting that “fair wages and working conditions enable workers to share their resources with neighbors.”
The USW represents hundreds of thousands of workers across numerous sectors in the U.S. and Canada. It’s particularly strong in paper, lumber and forestry.
“Members in these industries collaborate across companies and borders to negotiate better contracts and safer workplaces,” explained USW International Vice President Luis Mendoza, who oversees paper-related bargaining for the union. “We’re excited to welcome our new members at Big River, knowing they will both contribute to our mission and draw strength from their colleagues unionwide.”
The workers overcame strong resistance from management to join the USW.
“These workers persevered,” said USW District 9 Director Daniel Flippo, who leads USW members in Mississippi, six other Southern states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “Now, we expect the company to come to the table in good faith and bargain the contract these workers earn every day.”
The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, mining, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining, the service, public and health care sectors and higher education. For more information: www.usw.org.
