Katahdin mill to close for month

Katahdin mill to close for month


Three-quarters of employees to be furloughed for most of April

EAST MILLINOCKET, Maine — Routine maintenance and a lack of orders will force the Katahdin Paper Co. LLC mill to shut down for most of April, furloughing as much as three-quarters of the mill’s 491 employees, officials said Wednesday.

Only the maintenance staff, about a quarter of the work force, will remain on the job, said Bill Peterson, director of human resources for Fraser Papers, the company that Brookfield Asset Management pays to manage its mills in East Millinocket and Millinocket.

The furlough will start April 9 and is tentatively set to end May 4, depending on the boiler maintenance work and whether more paper orders come in before the end of the month, Peterson said.

“Right now we know we have orders to meet in May,” Peterson said Wednesday. “If we get additional orders before May, then we will have to evaluate them when they come in and make our decisions accordingly.”

With its sister mill in Millinocket temporarily idled since September as Fraser and Brookfield officials look to change the Millinocket mill’s steam generation power from oil to biomass, the East Millinocket mill’s furloughs threatened the Katahdin Paper Co.’s status as the Katahdin region’s largest employer.

Management briefed union presidents of the intended shutdown during a meeting on Wednesday afternoon, said John Lee, president of International Association of Machinists Local 362. Lee was hopeful that the furlough would lead to an extended and steady period of work.

“As of today we started making paper for May and that wasn’t really good. Once we start back up we will be in good shape,” Lee said Wednesday. “There are plenty of good orders. It’s just that this time of the year has always been slow.

“It’s never good for the economy to have this,” Lee added. “Everybody knows the work isn’t here right now, but all of the paper industry is taking the same beating.”

The Katahdin mills typically cease production for seven to 10 days every year, usually in April — the slow season for the paper industry — to service their biomass boilers and other equipment, paying maintenance workers overtime to work around the clock to bring the boilers back online, Peterson said.

But with the lack of orders, Fraser’s new policy of making paper only with orders in hand to increase cash flow, and the dormant national economy, it is smarter to shut down and have the maintenance done without any overtime, Peterson said.

“It doesn’t make sense to rush this and pay premium costs,” he said.

The company had shut down the No. 5 paper machine on Feb. 9 idling about 140 hourly workers for a month before calling them back on March 9. That furlough was implemented as part of efforts to build cash flow by running paper machines only with orders in hand. The No. 5 makes newsprint and telephone directory stock.

“You have one good week, and you start to get your spirits up, and then you have a week that’s dismal. Every day is a struggle,” Peterson said.

Peterson confirmed Wednesday that the only good news to come workers’ way since the economy flat-lined is that the paperworkers union members at the two Katahdin mills will get an automatic 2½ percent pay hike effective May 1 per their collective bargaining agreement.

“In this economy it’s very difficult to do but it’s something that was bargained into the agreement years ago,” he said.

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Comments
64 comments on this item

a lot of the same buzz words that were used all through the torture of the Millinocket mill closings before they finally shut the doors, for good or until they get a bio-mass boiler ~roll eyes~.

the mills in the katahdin region are not obsolete. the number 11 machine is one of the larges and fastest machine in the world. Before all of the selling to this company and that began, great northern was making technology and selling it to the world. the fact is the mills need to be purchased by someone who is serious about making paper, a holding company only sees dollars, not people and the product they produce. my thoughts and prayers are with all of you who are being affected by this shut down again. negitive comments only fuel negitive thoughts and feelings by those who are being affected by this shut down . serously if something is not done soon in this state you are going to see a drain of young people leaving our state, leaving us with those who cant afford to go and recieving state help, and old people. what a state that will be!

Its not just this state it is the entire country. They can leave, my son did, he is in Boston working for a Financial outfit, a big one, the only one that hasn't had to have a bail out, making a huge $34,000.00 a year and trying to pay rent and expenses, the kid should be on food stamps. His rent alone is $700.00 a month and that is with 2 room mates. no parking provided, he has to walk 1/2 to 3/4 or a mile to get to his car and has had more parking tickets in the last year then I ever thought possible. All I'm saying is Maine is not alone.

For all those employees that are affected by this "temporary" shutdown, good luck and hang in there!

knightcross must not work for a living.HE should go to millonocket and say that.he deserves a good pounding

Boy - the rate at which these mills open and close seems to be increasing. It's actually hard to keep track of which ones are still open. I feel bad for rural Maine, as we become more reliant on electronic media the demand for paper is dropping.

The workers new about this at least a month ago, maybe even longer, so it is not really a surprise to them. As the article says, they usually go down this time of year every year. With the world economy the way it is, this just makes more sense for the mills to do it this way. Lets hope they get more orders.

Don't listen to knightscross, old Harry is always spouting his mouth off about the katahdin area. He always sounds disgruntled.

harryharly, Yes I work very hard for a living. I am also a proud Union Member. However there comes a time in life when you have to get an education, switch jobs, and move out of Maine if you want to make a good living. These workers have decided to ride a job roller-coaster. They don't want to help themselves. They have decided to work every other month at managements pleasure it is not my problem its theirs. Making paper is a dead industry.

concerned1, Good call your right let them buy their own boiler. They are Asking the state for a 15 to 20 yr commitment when the state only give's 3 to 5 yr one's. So they are staying stubborn in an attempt to get it for free along with a lock in to a higher rate for a longer period of time. Let em buy their own I agree!

Bangorian, thanks for the support!

movethen, yes they were told by management this may happen just one week after they started up after the last shutdown, now they have the conformation terrible new's as how much more can people take in loss of income. They do shut just the boiler down every year at this time yes but the mill as a whole kept running. Especially when The millinocket mill was running they relied on the pulp from the east mill to make the paper.But from your post's I think you are well aware of this. Now with the millinocket mill down order's down and some other things Ive told people of unfortunately the whole mill must close effecting everyone.Just seems to get worse and worse doesnt it?

Hang in their people keep up the fight , your pride and integrity arent something this company can take unless you let them and I dont think you will. Good luck to you all!

I foresee a lot of new jobs in the Mental Illness arena! Take care everyone. I wish all of these working, contributing, members of society the best of luck. Jobs are scarce now and our country has been sold to China. Sorry!

An Injury to one, is an injury to all! Workers of Maine Unite!

Blueskies: Workers of Maine Unite at the unemployment line, some of you people cannot see the forest through the trees!

blueskies -- you're always free to open a business of your own.

The you won't have to be a slave to anyone except the state of Maine (Maine is as anti-capitalist as you can get in the USA with maybe the exception of California) , and your wages will be limited only by your own talent and creativity.

Good point gw2kpro, I just think if workers had more control of the means of production, there would be more wealth to share around. And if no country was willing to work for slave wages, had proper environmental standards enforced like ours, our paper plants would not be at such a disadvantage.

I am sorry to hear about the issues at the mill, it effects so many. The workers have all been through this before and will make it through once more without a doubt. I will hope that this furlough will allow time for the orders to build so the employees may continue to work for an extended period upon returning.

Blueskiesaboveme-- hey feel free to ignore the ignorant post's from " flyfisnin". In the last artical he was spouting off at the mouth and trashing union workers there too. Seems he might be one either underpaid or unemployed person? At any rate all you ever see from him is negativaty toward's the working class. Here these mill worker's are trying to keep the mill's running so as not to have to dip into the unemployment benefit's and he is saying " worker's of Maine unite at the unemployment line?" Say's alot of his character or lack there of!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with your post's workers should have more control obiuosly since their employer's arent doing a very good job at keeping things running. I saw an add as many of us did on the tv " iraq people want to work " very nice of them to put that on tv. Thats just what we need more migrant's working for pennyie's because they dont have the backing to get better.

Video killed the Radio Star Well the internet is killing the paper mills. People read the news on here, we shop on here instead of catalogues the only thing we don't use this for is toilet paper.

Ogarbage opinion; "Here these mill workers are trying to keep the mills running" These workers are hanging on by a thread, because the unions have out lived their usefulness in today's manufacturing markets, they create a " two-headed " monster that the employers have to deal with. The unions protect the 'comp" cases as well as the lazy workers and treat the hard workers as equals with the two for mentioned.

As my name states I work in the "other" up and coming industry in northern Maine, called tourism...which is about the only viable business that will found northern Maine in the near future unfortunately because of the loss of most of the manufacturing jobs in this state.

harryharly,way to represent your mill and workers.You workers are always looking to blame anyone but yourselves and you take your anger out on strangers instead of your union and management.You have priced yourselves out of business,get over it.No need to get on here and embarass yourself.

Knightcross didn't your Momma ever teach you that if you can't say some thing good to keep your mouth shut, by not knowing what your talking about you continue to show your ignorance. Southtexaskate Thanks for the kind words you are obviously a woman of intelligence.You are correct that #11 is one of the if not the most up to date largest fastest machine in the world. flyfishing get a life not all of us want to be employed by the tourism industry taking advantage of poor unsuspecting flatlanders. We need to keep making widgets ie. paper etc if we want to compete in the global market! kate123 number 11 does not make newsprint, and if video is taking over then how come channel 5 had yo lay folks off? Just felt the need to vent after reading some of the garbage on here, again if you don't know what your talking about then keep your hand off the keyboard.

Looks like you have been called out concerned1. Movethen is telling you to post the name, sounds like he called your bluff. I can't wait to see your next post. Reading your posts, I agree you seem to have issues with some people in your town you just cannot let go of. Your next post should say it all.

I am waiting with my beer in hand.

concerned1

let's have it, we're all ears buddy!!

let's see what you're made of..........

Augusta, in all its ignorant wisdom has made operating in Maine almost impossible. It does not matter what business you are in. Very soon it will be impossible.

They just dont get it, there are plenty of places to go. and Maine should be begging to attract businesses with lower taxes, utilities, etc, etc,

Augusta solution is just tax, so they simply leave Maine, or at the very least do not invest in Maine.

Complete IDIOTS

concerned1 you bashed people in the last article too. Now your rep is on the line. Were waiting to see if you've got what it take's to man up you've been called out little man!

Rep my arse pinhead. trust me punk theres nothing little about this man. Perhaps youd like to find out for yourself? This is an open forum. If ya cant stand the heat click the mouse son. Touch a nerve did I idiot? LOL I'll bash anyone I want. Anytime I want. End of the story lowlife.

concerned1----- ha ha ha your toasted little man own up to it now I know being a man is hard for ya but try son try. Notice Im clicking the mouse for ya !!! nighty night

ok knightscross, my dad works at that mill, he's 58 years old. do you really think we should pay to send him to school to train for another job. think about it he will only work about 4 years after training before retireing. maybe others can do that and get the oppertunity to pay back loans and work for a long time. dad just wants to work for about 5 more years and retire. all any one wants to do is WORK and be proud that they work hard. i do not think the paper industry is dead, just mismanaged. electronic media is nice, but i still love a book. paper feels comforting when i read, and it causes me to sufffer from less migrains then sitting at this stupid computer does. anyone remember bradberry's book feringhight 451, they worked hard to get rid of all paperbooks

I agree southtexaskate, and know the feeling about the retraining of the older folks. Not much chance their for them and all their live's dedicated to the mill's and now this from mismanagement. Of course there will always b a need for paper and I too read and enjoy book's much more than the computer world. I hope tihis mess allow's your dad the time he need's.

concernedidiot1 seems fair I guess Ill do my fair share of bashing too then but It seems you deserve the bashing right now so enjoy. All I and other's have seen from your childish and uniformed post's is bull%$# running from your little mouth. Are you always so insecure you have to go online to get your manhood built up? Yep looks that way . Get a life of your own idiot . Grow up.

Hows that feel more at home if you see bashing going on?

Not going to waste anymore of time with your pathetic arse so post away kid. Hope your maturity level reche's adult hood soon. ha ha ha

>>knightcross must not work for a living.HE should go to millonocket and say that.he deserves a good pounding

Yes. Millinocket, where speaking one's mind can indeed earn one a "good pounding." Guess they don't teach the 1st Amendment at Stearns. I guess they don't teach Business 101 either.

i have a great idea the employees should buy the mill like some steel workers did a few years back oh wait a minute the unuion was against that but the employees bought it any way and thew out the union and made a go of the mill. you know i read the comments to see what others are thiking not to see the small and stupid insults of grade school kids

concerned1

you been had buddy. take a chill pill.

I can't believe I'm going to agree with the Y chromosome difficient, hairy person, in large spiked foot gear.....

But why in the world would you let anyone on this thing get to you....

Hell....I kinda had fun bantering with 'ol big foot. I may even enjoy pounding her into submission over a game of cribbage some day. But guy.....why would you care if anyone online questions your man hood? Who to are they?? Why would you care??? Have a little self confidence.....

NorthwoodsMainiac,

Ever since I was in middle school I got crapped on because I was not as developed as the rest of the boys in school. I finally shunned that image when most everyone moved away. Now I come on here and these guys have the nerve to question my manhood! I have the right to slam anyone I want, but it does not mean they have to get so personal with me. I am starting to think they know who I am and are purposely making my life miserable.

concerned1

I know who you are buddy, you should keep your pie hole plugged with yo mamma's bad cooking.

Bigfoot

looks like you've got another admirer hah pal? He can't spell though can he, "difficient" I wonder if he is out of high school yet!

Concerned 1 - I don't know who you are - I only saw what picklemoocher said

pickelsmoocher - re your comment to concerned 1 - grow up and act your age instead of your shoe-size.

Ya....I do have fingers that go on auto pilot.

Lucky for me....I have about 30 layers of skin....and am very comfortable with my education.

Hey bigfoot....wouldn't you say that's the truth!

YEP

You are comfortable with it. But what about the 30 layers of skin???? What's that all about?

HAH

Picklesmoocher, that's a good one. Where'd you get that name, do you test pickles for Vlasic?

Hey concerned 1.............What you said about the child molester was totally out of line.

Northwoods,

Is the best of the best keeping you busy or what?

pickle,

Don't worry about concerned1, he is all over these posts with his conspiracy theories and hate. Short man's attitude

lyndenmi,

Not sure if 'shoe size' was the proper phrase, want to change that?

BFHEAD

I been watching you here lately. You think you are one that is better than everyone else. I remember you from back awhile, I was out of the game for awhile but now I'm back, only this time it's will to be harder to get rid of me. I am not thru with you yet.

LET ME GUESS!!

TEDLICK

LONG TIME NO TALKY.

I thought you said you were going to be watching from the sidelines.

What did your boyfriend decide to put you back in the game, ALL DONE LICKING YOUR WOUNDS YOU SICKO, NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED HERE, WE STILL THINK YOU"RE DERANGED

GOOD LUCK, and BRING IT ON!!!

I agree with Knightscross,Wake up and smell the roses.

I have to admit that though I read a whole lot more than I write (I do enjoy the bantering that goes on in this forum)...I too am really curious about the 30 layers of skin comment from NorthwoodsMainiac as well. I have tried to think of ways that could have been a "figurative" statement and I am just coming up empty.

Lovin,

Welcome to the bantering. Please join in, don't let us get to you too bad if you do. Some of us like to call out the ones that have nothing good to say, conspiracy theororists, or they just plain ask for it!

Looks like we have a few new ones here, northwoodsmaniac and picklesmootcher. I already have one of them figured out though.

IMRIGHT is that you????

Bigfoot,

As I said, I can and WILL say what I want on here. Do you like 'LittleFeet"

imright,

So I suppose you are throwing me in with the conspiracy theorists? I will tell you, you better not get on my ugly side, I can banter with the best of them. I just don't like it when some of these people know who I am and say things they shouldn't!

Hey concerned1...

Still dealing with that penis envy???

Bigfoot,

You know what you can do with my envy!! How about I get one of my town cops to see how well you would stand in those heels while being tasered!!!

You'll die trying PUNK.

concerned1,

You calling me out, I wouldn't do that. I thought you only had an ugly side? It won't be long before I have all the information I need, and when I get it, lookout, because imright

Go ahead you cracker!

Who in the hell do you think you are?

I've already found you out, go ahead and put let me know who I am. These other crackers couldn't do it. I'll give you a taste of your own medicine.

What a bunch of petty wind bags!

flyfishin..... much like yourself! : )

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