Severance talks completed at paper mill

International Paper officials and union representatives met this week to iron out an agreement for severance packages following the announcement that the Albany Paper Mill will close in December.

"We met for two days," said Todd Dittmer, president of the Association of Western Pulp & Paper Workers Local 3, which represents IP's hourly workers. "Now we meet informally with the membership to present what we have."

Dittmer and union members Don Draeger, Ryan Sumner, Gary Wood, Gary Casper and Leonard Sexton met with the paper mill's Jeff Yoder and Mike Wilson and corporate representatives Leisha Bailey and Bill Mundy for two days.

"I can't really discuss any details yet," said Dittmer. "I can say that some members will likely be happy and some won't."

Yoder said that given the circumstances both sides recognized the need to work together and he felt that was accomplished.

"It affects everyone differently," said Yoder. "It's one more step that brings home the reality of the situation for workers. It's a difficult pill."

Dittmer said an official from the AWPPW head office in Portland briefed the group Monday, preparing them for negotiations with management.

"He laid out how they expected the meetings would proceed and what we should hope for," said Dittmer.

Union members are still in a state of shock from the announcement last week that the mill will close, according to Dittmer.

"It was so unexpected," he said.

Yoder said the need to get a severance package settled was important.

"It's a phase we all want to get behind us," said Yoder. "Our challenge continues to be empathetic with the employees and the reality of the situation and operate the mill effectively for the next six weeks."

Dittmer said a benefit the mill's 210 hourly workers can look forward to is extended benefits under the Federal Trade Act, negotiated when 40 workers were laid off last year.

"We applied for an extension and got it," he said. "Considering the position we are in it should be very helpful."

The act provides money for schooling and extends unemployment benefits. It also pays a substantial chunk of COBRA co-

payments if workers go back to school, according to Dittmer.