The “Package” is a result of collective bargaining between forest products companies and the USW. While it is possible for individual companies to negotiate specific benefit items with the USW that are not in the standard “Package”, this is not usually accomplished because of the USW’s strong preference for one common set of benefits for all its represented members and because there are economies of scale with one large benefit package for all employees.

Note that the collective agreements require insurance coverages to be provided by the industry-wide plan with a common carrier and all covered employees must participate in all industry plans as a condition of employment. These requirements work to the employees advantage in that the plan benefits are portable and when employees change employers, they are entitled to immediate benefit coverage.