Members of the United Steelworkers (USW) have ratified a new four-year collective agreement covering approximately 2,400 employees across several Domtar paper mills in the United States.

The agreement, which runs through December 2029, includes significant wage increases and enhanced benefits.

The negotiations took place under specific conditions. It was the first agreement reached since Domtar’s integration into Paper Excellence in 2021, followed by the acquisition of Resolute Forest Products in 2023. Talks also occurred against a backdrop of market slowdown and production downtime across the industry.

Despite these challenges, the union points to meaningful gains. The contract provides for wage increases exceeding 12% over its term, along with a signing bonus, improved pension plans, and continued access to affordable health care.