PCA PAPER WORKERS IN MINNESOTA RATIFY STRONG AGREEMENT WITH MAJOR WAGE GAINS, PROTECTED HEALTH INSURANCE

The following information was released by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM):

IAM Union Local W33 and 760 members working at PCA Paper Products in International Falls, Minn., along with members of the four other unions represented at the plant, have ratified a strong four-year agreement after two weeks of negotiations.

The agreement provides 12.5% in general wage increases, a guarantee that current health benefits will not change, improvements to scheduling language, better grievance procedure, better paid personal time language, and other improvements.

"This agreement shows what's possible when workers stand united across unions with a clear plan and strong preparation," said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. "Our members at PCA fought forand wonreal gains that protect their families, strengthen their jobs and set a powerful standard for paper workers across the Midwest."

The Joint Union Committee, representing members of two IAM Locals, the IBEW, SEIU, the IUOE, and the Teamsters, were led by IAM District 5 Directing Business Representative Jeff Hoopman. On hand to assist was Woodworkers Department International Representative Billy Barnwell.

"I was very impressed by the cohesiveness of this group," said Barnwell. "DBR Hoopman was very well prepared, as was the entire committee. That preparation paid off with a fantastic contract for our members."

"I'm very proud of the work and commitment put in by this committee," said Hoopman. "Such a large committee representing so many unions can be a challenge, but this group really acted throughout with one purpose: to get a great contract for their members and they accomplished that."

IAM Union members on the bargaining committee prepared for negotiations for months, including attending a Negotiation Prep program at the IAM's Winpisinger Education and Technology Center. Also, the IAM Strategic Resources Department assisted with surveys of the entire unit, which were used to set priorities for negotiations.

The new agreement, which is retroactive to May 1, 2026 and runs through April 30, 2030, will be a yardstick for future negotiations, said Woodworkers Chief of Staff Bob Walls.

"This represents one of the best agreements we have seen in the paper sector in quite a while and will be something that our members in the industry should look to as an example," said Walls. "The workers at PCA are the economic backbone of northern Minnesota and they deserve to be recognized as such."