An Oregon paper mill which was sold off in bankruptcy proceedings last month will re-hire half the workers that were fired – but without a Union contract. <?xml:namespace prefix = o>
When Pope and Talbot paper mill in Halsey went bankrupt last month, 180 workers lost their jobs.
Now, at least ninety of those workers will be re-hired by the company that bought the assets from the bankruptcy court.
The mill's new owners, Minnesota-based Wayzata Investment Partners, has not yet recognized the two unions that had existing labor contracts when the mill was closed.
Representatives from the United Steelworkers and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers unions said that they will try to negotiate a contract with the new company.
Norman Malbin is an attorney for the Local 280 branch of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
- KBOO