For Immediate Release                         May 9, 2006

 

Pittsburgh – A delegation of workers from Sappi facilities in South Africa are visiting United Steelworker (USW) –represented employees of Sappi paper mills in the United States this week in a show of global labor solidarity.

 

The representatives of South Africa’s Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood & Allied Workers Union (CEPPWAWU) will meet workers at Sappi facilities in Skowhegan, Maine; Westbrook, Maine; Muskeegan, Mich. and Cloquet, Minn.

 

Three of four USW locals at Sappi mills in the United States are working under indefinitely extended contracts while they negotiate with the South African-based company for new agreements. An agreement at Cloquet expires on May 15.

 

“The message we’re bringing is that the South African workers stand strongly in support of the American workers,’’ said Keith Romig, an international affairs representative for the USW who is traveling with the South African delegates. “The South African Sappi workers are urging the American workers to take concrete action to protect their rights.”

 

Pascal Dyani, president of the South African union, said the purpose of his visit to the United States with Sappi worker Michael Mokoana is to strengthen the solidarity between his union and the USW. The two organizations have a history of cooperation.

 

Dyani said he and Mokoana will share their experiences at Sappi with their U.S. counterparts. He said satisfied workers are key to the corporation’s financial success.

 

“Our intention is to quite clearly indicate to workers that there is a need for them to protect their rights. There is a need for them not to accept that their rights be reduced or destroyed,’’ Dyani said. “We are willing to take concrete action to support them when they do.”

 

“Because as South African workers we made Sappi what it is today, we think it is necessary that Sappi respect the workers of other countries, to give them the necessary respect and dignity that they deserve,’’ Dyani added.

 

The tour will be in Maine on Wednesday, May 10; in Michigan on Thursday, May 11 and in Minnesota on Friday, May 12. For interviews, contact Keith Romig at 615-714-2704.

 

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Contact: Keith Romig, USW, 615-714-2704 (cell)