The union’s president described as "bittersweet" the ratification by members of the latest labor contract negotiated with MeadWestvaco by the Covington Paperworkers Union Local 675.

During a vote yesterday, CPU members ratified the contract by a margin of 77 percent, said Roy Hall, president. He said the union will release later the number of members who voted.

Hall said he was disappointed that negotiations with MeadWestvaco had not overturned some of the terms he said resulted during previous contract negotiations between the company and CPU’s rival local, USW Local 8-675, which was the local bargaining unit at the time.

He said the ongoing split between the unions hindered negotiations.