Out of a job

Saw that in the Bangor Daily News and on WABI TV . . . this stinks . . . for a lot of folks.

hossthehermit said:

Boss just called, mill where I've worked for almost 43 years is closing Dec. 1 .................

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I hate to hear that. Anyone know why ? Any talk of a severance package to help out until you can get back on your feet ?

Thought and prayers sent your way.

Unfortunately as a financial advisor, I get this phone call often. It's always a tough one. You want to go out on your terms not someone else's.

the economy is bad enough to effect maine its probably comming up to alaska too!

good luck buddy! keep your chin up.

That's too bad, best of luck to you.
Up side, you'll have more time to enjoy your fire....

What kind of mill? Lumber down here is cranking. Everyone is competing for every truckload.

Sorry about the closing!
Could you convert the Mill to a "Pellet Mill" ? Could be a real money maker.

My sympathies. The local pulp mill near me did the same thing 8 years ago. I only had 17 years but many had 40 years and was the only job they have ever had right out of high school. A lot of folks that aren't from a mill town don't realize how much impact it is on the community. Its more than job, its part of your identity. Of course all the politicians will come rushing down for a photo op and make promises but dont be conned.

For the prior poster it was Verso (formerly IP) Bucksport pulp and paper mill. Unfortunately the demand for the type of paper they make just isn't there so whatever mills are remaining are all scrambling to drop their prices to get orders for what remains of the market. That shuts down the high cost producers and unfortunately Maine (and New England in general) has high labor and energy costs.

Several years out, the folks from the Berlin shutdown who recovered the best were the ones that retrained into a different career and moved if they needed to. There usually are retraining options out there but many don't get in line to get them as they think some "white knight" will come save the mill. Based on the recent "white knights" attempts at Millinocket and Old Town, they usually are just some vultures scraping off a few more bucks before they finally scrap the place. They talk a good game but the employees who figured out a new career saved themselves a few years of pain as the new business plans fell apart. It was definitely a tough transition for the guys who did retraining as their buddies were content to just sit around and burn up whatever government benefits they could or figure out a way to get on disability. A lot of the folks who just stayed around collecting benefits until they ran out are still around bitter about the past and spending their time now drinking away the present. I run into the guys who retrained or moved and most are happy they made the move.

Sorry to hear that hoss.

My mother in law got laid off yesterday too and I've heard a few anecdotal stories through others of people losing their jobs. There's also been lots of chatter about the stock market and economy going in the tank again pretty soon. No surprise there. We're nothing but pawns in a game for a very select few.

Hope everything works out for you!

Is that Lincoln?

well i will always be holding onto what i aint got. seems to be the way of life. best luck to you all.

I saw that article - and thought of our Mainiacs! Hopefully the IRA and other stuff is still kicking...at, at our advanced ages, that old SS and Medicare is right around the corner....

May I ask...how much longer than 43 years did you want to work? I've been working for 42 and I'm about done....

Hang in there

Hoss, sorry to hear about the job loss. Hope you've got a decent pension plan and severance pay. Our mill closed here last year - nephew went on to retrain as a welder and is staying pretty busy. Older employees just collected their severance and will be moving on to the pension. Houses are paid for - not much point in trying to sell in a depressed market. Keep hearing rumours about a sale but will not be holding my breath...

So sorry for the bad news. I honestly don't know what I would do if I got the news about losing a job.

And if I could only tell people who close factories/mill/large employers in December, of all freakin months in the year, what I truly thought of them....WHY DECEMBER!?

Andrew

Maine has requirements that workers need some sort of advanced notice before permanent plant closings. I also expect that the closing is somehow timed to line up with the parent company, Verso, buying New Page.

hossthehermit said:

Well, gittin' ready to head in for my last shift ................... 42 years, 8 months, 4 days ...................mixed feelings .............................................

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I think there's a lot of folks who are pretty disappointed with the news of the sale to a scrap metal company as they realize the implications to not only the employees but also the entire town and surrounding towns. Sad ...