Contact: Tony Montana, 412-562-2592, tmontana@usw.org
South Glens Falls, N.Y. — The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that the union has sent a letter to Essity urging management to reconsider the Swedish company’s decision to mothball the paper mill, which employs about 350 full-time hourly workers.
“The community needs management to consider alternatives to shutting down in South Glens Falls,” said USW International Vice President Luis Mendoza. “Hundreds of loyal, experienced workers deserve to work for an employer with plans to operate the mill.”
The Essity Board of Directors in mid-July announced plans to shutter the South Glens Falls mill, which was previously owned by SCA Tissue. Further, Essity has indicated that it will neither seek a buyer to operate the facility nor allow the USW to look for one.
“We are shocked and disappointed that Essity has made the additional decision not to look or allow the union to search for potential buyers,” Mendoza said. “This decision ultimately leaves these members, their families and the surrounding community in a devastating position.”
Mendoza said that the company’s actions in South Glens Falls are impacting morale at other USW represented Essity facilities.
“This decision is already having an effect on the other sites, as the remaining locations are worried that they will be next,” Mendoza said. “Over the years, the company has decided to reduce its foot print in the market by pulling out of the West Coast and now the Northeast.”
The USW and Essity are engaged in negotiations over the effects of the company’s decision to close the South Glens Falls mill, covering subjects such as severance pay and recall rights.
The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in manufacturing, metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in tech, public sector and service occupations.