Despite pressure from mill workers, local politicians, and community leaders, Wausau Paper is sticking to its plans to offer a “generous” severance package of 12 weeks pay for fired workers with 20 years or more service to the company.
Company executive vice president Stuart Carlson said that both the closure of the Groveton, NH, mill and the package offered to 250 displaced workers is “final.”
As reported in the New Hampshire Union Leader:
On Thursday, Local 61 of the United Steel Workers, representing about 250 employees, in a news conference took issue with the severance packages Wausau has given to them and is holding off signing the deal while it encourages politicians to urge Wausau CEO Thomas Howatt to reconsider both the severance deal and the mill closure.
For more on this breaking story, click here.
Last week, in reporting the closing of the mill, I looked at the political ramifications to New Hampshire’s presidential primary.
A Rake's Progress 
There’s no such thing as a free lunch.
Kevin, but there is something called corporate social responsibility. Basically, Wausau Paper is dumping a bunch of employees on the local economy and the community. For years they used those people and that community to make money. The employees are not looking for a free lunch — they have earned better treatment.
Thanks for your comment.
— Rake
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HI,
Sorry to hear about the mill closing. Would it be possible to look around the country (or maybe the world) to find similar situations with possible solutions? You seem to have a very nice community. Why not look at all of your local resources, talents and strengths. I agree with corporate responsibility even if the corporations do not. As a person who has both succeeded and failed in business, I can tell you there is ALWAYS a way. Best of luck.
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