Wage Gains for Tennessee Buckeye Workers (8/31/10)

RWDSU Local 910 members in Memphis, Tennessee, who work at Buckeye Technologies have ratified a new three-year contract. Members there, who process cotton so the cellulose can be used in products like films and plasma screens, will see three percent wage increases every year of the contract.

“They came at us really hard when we began negotiations, trying to cut wages, which we couldn’t believe since they just gave a senior vice president a $50,000 bonus,” said Local 910 President Willie Smith. “Negotiations were really tough, but with the fourth contract, we ratified it with wage increases.”

Local 910 President Willie Smith, Vice-President Robert Brown, Secretary-Treasurer Rosetta Love, Recorder Carrie Wellington and Obediah Shegog served on the bargaining committee, with assistance from RWDSU Representative Terry Jaremko. There are 150 RWDSU members employed at Buckeye Technologies.