Members of United Steelworkers Local 4-9 recently voted to authorize a strike if needed amid ongoing contract negotiations, with forced overtime, health benefits and proposed changes to earned paid leave policies among their chief complaints.

Union workers say they're being forced to work dangerously long hours. The union's contract with Sappi expired in August, and the paper company said it takes "exception" to the union workers' characterization of overtime problems.

Members of United Steelworkers Local 4-9 voted on Sept. 20 to authorize a strike and are a planning a rally for Tuesday, a news release said.

The union says it’s due to excessive forced overtime, proposed reductions to vacation time, and other problems.