By Doug Cunningham

United Steel Workers members at Packaging Corporation of America are voting Thursday on acceptance of a new five-year master contract agreement covering 1200 workers. The contract covers mills in Tennessee, Michigan, and Wisconsin. USW President, Leo Gerard says this agreement lays the foundation for economic security for these workers during a time when the paper industry is undergoing massive change from economic globalization. Details aren’t being released until the ratification vote, but the USW says the contract includes wage and benefit increases and groundbreaking job security provisions.