RUMFORD — Labor negotiations are about to begin for the 700 employees who are members of Local 900 United Steel Workers union at NewPage Corp.

Union President Matt Bean said the first meeting of representatives from management and the union is set for Aug. 17.

The most recent three-year contract expired on June 30, but because of scheduling difficulties, Bean said negotiations are beginning late.

Representatives from the United Steel Workers, the union that represents most of the local NewPage employees, and a corporate team will meet at the local mill.

The major issues are the usual, said Bean: requests for increased pension and improved health insurance coverage.

“We want to settle a new contract as quickly as possible,” he said.

Mill spokeswoman Janet Hall said she hopes negotiations go well.

“There’s no reason to believe they won’t,” she said.

Until a new contract is agreed to by both union and management, employees work under the last contract.

New CEO

In another matter, the central NewPage office in Miamisburg, Ohio, announced this week the hiring of a 27-year paper industry veteran as the new NewPage president and chief executive officer.

George F. Martin began his paper company career in 1983 as a chemist for Westvaco, then held various operating technical and staff roles at Westvaco and MeadWestvaco, according to a news release issued by the NewPage central office. He became senior vice president of operations for NewPage in 2005.

Hall said she is pleased with the choice.

“We know George well,” she said.

Martin becomes the leader of NewPage following an executive shake-up earlier in the year.

“Following the recent leadership changes, George demonstrated his commitment and dedication to NewPage as he stepped up to take a lead role in running the business. His tenure at the organization will lend stability and continuity for the organization to achieve long term success,” said Robert Nardelli, chairman of the NewPage Board of Directors in a news release.

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