USW Members Ratify New Contract at MeadWestvaco Low Moor, Va., Facility

Wages, Pensions improved; Health Care maintained

LOW MOOR, Va., July 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Steelworkers (USW)
Local 8-490 members at the MeadWestvaco converting and services facility in
Low Moor, Va., ratified a four-year agreement this week by a 70 percent
margin.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080131/DC12982LOGO )

The contract, which covers 154 production employees, features pension
increases, wage increases, maintains the existing health care benefit package,
lowers the percentage of premiums paid by workers, reduces certain retiree
health care premium costs and substantially improves the allowance for safety
shoes. The defined benefit pension was increased $4 per year of service and is
retroactive to April 1, 2008.

USW Local 8-490 President Ray Plasters said despite negotiations taking longer
than expected and being frustrating at times, the local's perseverance paid
off and workers were able to get a good contract that met the needs of
themselves and their families. It was anticipated that a labor agreement would
have been concluded within two months after the Nov. 1, 2007 contract
expiration date, but the Low Moor facility was not the only MeadWestvaco
location that had difficulty in negotiations with the company.

"By everyone sticking together through this time we were finally able to come
back with a decent proposal for the membership to vote on," Plasters said.

Workers will receive a $2,000 lump sum payment, a 2 percent immediate wage
increase and additional 2.25 percent wage increases effective Aug. 31, 2009
and Aug. 30, 2010.

Under the old contract, employees contributed 25 percent of the cost of health
care premiums. This was reduced to 20 percent, however, there are some changes
in the benefit reimbursement rates. Benefit levels are assured should the plan
administrator change. If the USW and MeadWestvaco reach an agreement on a
better health care plan, the Low Moor facility has the option to participate
in it.

Previously, MeadWestvaco was making a $50 to $100 per month contribution
toward retiree health care premiums. For retirees between 62 and 65 and
approved disability retirees the company and the retirees will now split the
cost of the premiums 50/50. This can mean between a $4,000 and $11,000 annual
savings for retirees depending what coverage they elect.

The safety shoe allowance increases by $40 per year in December 2008, and it
increases an additional $10 in December 2010.

A number of language changes were adopted that provide more member protection
and streamline the administration of company policies and procedures.

Plasters said he deeply appreciated the patience, support and hard work from
USW International Vice President Jon Geenen and staff representatives Luis
Mendoza and Ed Kemick.

The USW is the largest industrial union in North America and represents over
1.2 million members and retirees in the paper, steel, oil, chemical, metals,
rubber, glass and service sectors.

SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)

Ray Plasters, USW Local 8-490 President, +1-540-968-3683, Ed Kemick, USW
International Representative, +1-724-657-8379, cell: +1-724-698-3585, or Luis
Mendoza, USW International Representative, +1-540-563-5022, all of United
Steelworkers (USW)