Out-of-State Mills Interested in Hiring Verso Paper Workers
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The Bangor Daily News, Bangor, Maine, USA, this week reported that paper mills outside of Maine are interested in hiring Verso Paper workers, whose jobs are expected to come to an end when the Bucksport paper mill closes its doors on December 1.
Flambeau River Papers in Wisconsin and Boise Paper in Minnesota have reached out to Dave Milan, economic development director for Bucksport, to say they have openings for experienced papermakers.
Milan has created a website for Verso workers, versobucksport.com, where he is posting information that could be of benefit employees, including out-of-state job opportunities.
Verso Paper in Bucksport employs about 500 people. The company announced at the beginning of October it would close by the end of the year.
"What we want to do is provide opportunities for the millworkers," Milan said Friday in the newspaper report. "There’s certainly no doubt in my mind that these workers are very highly skilled, productive workers. Other companies from around the country could use them."
Cassandra Schienebeck, head of human resources for Flambeau River Papers in Park Falls, Wis., said Friday the family-owned company is open to "any of the talents that they have to offer" in Bucksport. About 320 people make paper at the Wisconsin mill. "We’re looking at different expansion areas and are not limited to just engineers but to general laborers as well," she said. "There have been a few resumes that I’ve received—not an abundant amount, but it’s new. And I’m sure it’s hard for individuals to move that far from their hometown. Hopefully, it gives people a little hope."
