Groveton, New Hampshire - November 8, 2007
Representatives of the local steel workers union took pointed jabs at Wausau Paper's corporate officers in Wisconsin, when they gathered to voice their concerns over what they call a pitiful severance package for laid-off workers.
"One week per year of service up to 12 weeks and I have people in there with 43 years, so it's not really a fair deal," says 31-year employee and local union president Murray Rogers. "It's probably decent out in Wausau where the other mills are because the job market is huge. Here... people are going to struggle."
Wausau Paper announced last month that it will close the New Hampshire plant at the end of the year. Over 300 employees will eventually lose their jobs. Some say it is a sign of what's to come for the country's struggling manufacturing market.
"The people in this country had better wake up and start electing officials that can see through these free trade agreements. There is nothing free about it. They cost American people their jobs," says Wausau worker Paul Mason.
The city of Berlin, which is about 25 miles from Groveton, already knows what it's like to lose hundreds of jobs. The old pulp mill in their city closed over a year ago. The closure forced many families to leave the area. Economic planners in Berlin say the Wausau closure is going to compound an already bad situation.
"We need to start focusing on a regional approach to economic development because small towns like Groveton and even Berlin-- we just can't develop the critical mass necessary to all of a sudden create a new economic base," says Regional Economic Development director Normand Sharest.
Some laid off workers in Berlin were able to find employment at the Fraser Paper Mill in Gorham. Others have become correctional officers at the nearby state prison. Prison officials say they have already begun taking applications from Wausau workers like Bob Levesque. Levesque says the prison is a good opportunity for him.
"I wish all the employees at Wausau good luck," he adds.
Adam Sullivan - WCAX News
