Domtar closure leaves 150 out of work

The announcement on Tuesday, July 31, that Domtar's paper-making operation at the Woodland mill in Baileyville would cease and 150 workers would lose their jobs brought Governor John Baldacci and numerous state officials to the Washington County Community College on Friday, August 3, to discuss the situation and meet with the laid-off employees. Domtar will concentrate on its pulp operation at the Woodland mill. During the past year, there have been temporary shutdowns of the 101-year-old paper machine, but the July 31 announcement put an end to any hope that the shutdown was temporary.

Laid-off employees listened as Governor Baldacci said, "Let's galvanize, let's join forces, and let's work together and make sure that tomorrow is a lot clearer and a lot brighter than yesterday."

Brad Cowan, who had been employed at the mill for 19 years, says the paper operation has been up and down since last October. "It has been hanging over our heads, but it was still a surprise last Tuesday. We will have to do something different in life. Here we are with a viable industry, and the state and federal government have let us buy paper from other sources. The government holds paper companies in this country to certain standards and environmental practices, yet we don't have a problem buying from China. If you don't hold other countries to the same standards, why should they buy paper from them? If the state of Maine doesn't get its act together and let people from Maine run the state, we are not going to have anything happen."

Cowan points out that the layoff will affect the economy in a 150-mile area. "If someone is making $60,000 and they lose their job, there will be a lifestyle change." He estimates the laid-off employees were making from $45,000 to $65,000 a year. "We probably were at the top of the labor market for Washington County." He believes the pulp mill is a viable operation and hopes it will continue.

Darryl Wentworth of Princeton had 20 years in at the paper mill. At this stage, he doesn't know what he will do. He hopes he may be able to go back to Domtar if some of the older employees retire.

Another former employee simply asked the governor what he planned to do to help the laid-off employees. John Richardson, commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development, said, "We are here to hear your concerns and see what we can do to address the concerns. You have my commitment and certainly the commitment of all the folks from the state here; we will not stop until we have everyone employed and also not stop until we see the region moving in a forward direction."

Jane Gilbert, deputy commissioner of the Department of Labor, said a rapid response team would be meeting with former employees on August 9.

Representatives from the offices of U.S. Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins said the senators have appealed to U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao to review and approve a petition for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for the employees who lost their jobs. If the petition is approved, the unemployed workers will be eligible for employment retraining in another job or career, income support, job search allowance and relocation services for individuals who obtain jobs outside of their normal communities.

The governor said, "It is personal for me. Maine is a small state. There will be no politics or election moves here. It is about getting people back to work."

The governor outlined various new projects in the area that could provide jobs. He noted that construction jobs will be available on the new $120 million bridge that will connect Calais and St. Stephen. There could be potential construction jobs on the $50 million U.S. Customs House. There are another 30 possible permanent jobs when the Customs House is built.

The governor also introduced Damar Dore of ICS of Maine Inc., which plans to manufacture structural insulated panels for use in commercial and residential buildings. The company will be located at the Baileyville Industrial Park and will employ 65 to 70 people and has a goal to eventually employ 150.