Kaine, after International Paper visit, says workers need help

Posted to: Business Jobs Western Tidewater
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By
The Virginian-Pilot
© October 31, 2009

ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY

Stanley Sykes was one of the first International Paper mill workers to come out of a meeting with the governor Friday afternoon.

For the time being, the 49-year-old is a paper maker on the No. 1 machine. He's the fourth generation of his family to work at the mill that looms over the city of Franklin. He's been there for 31 years, and he's one of about 1,100 millworkers who won't have a job by early next year.

"Too much seniority and too young," Sykes said, shaking his head. "My father, my grandfather and my great-grandfather worked here. I hope the good Lord is looking after all of us."

Sykes was one of the first names Gov. Timothy M. Kaine mentioned when he left the small brick building where he met with officials and mill workers. Kaine said the state has to do something for the workers first.

"This has been a very sobering experience," Kaine said in the mill's parking lot. "I'm inspired by the pride in work these people show, the pride in this community. Our immediate response has got to be helping these workers."

Then, Kaine said, "What can we do with International Paper?"

The company announced last week that the mill will close by spring. International Paper locations affected by the downswing in the paper business are in Isle of Wight County and elsewhere. It means that 1,600 workers in all will lose their jobs.

Carroll Story, who heads the union at the mill, said t he governor did give the workers some hope for the future.

The state, Kaine said, will focus first on assuring the future of the millworkers losing their jobs. Then, there will be an emphasis on re using the plant and on economic development for the area.

"This is an odd situation," Kaine said. "We got word yesterday that the recession is over. Virginia's unemployment rate is 3 to 4 points less than the national average. Some of the people here have lost both jobs, husband and wife. We need to have intense dialogue about the future of this facility."

Linda McNatt, (757) 222-5561, linda.mcnatt@pilotonline.com

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Can't compare Ford closing to

Submitted by Mike1961 on Sat, 10/31/2009 at 7:24 pm.

International paper closing the mill in Franklin. Ford motor Co. offered relocation to many, Paid big buyouts to most. These greedy people are offering a mere pittance compared to the Ford plant. Here you got folks with 30+ years at the mill and 50 years old, too young to retire and too old to be thinking about a new career. An extremely specialized workforce, who take great pride in what they do and have done for 3 and 4 generations, faced closure unless they met overwhelming milestones with a greatly reduced workforce (previous layoffs)not to mention the fact that up until the day they announced the mill was closing was the most productive paper mill in the International Paper organization. Hired people less than a month ago and led everyone to believe they had weathered the storm and all of a sudden they pull the rug from under these fine folks. Did I mention they just opened a new mill in Brazil? Cheap labor -vs- unionized labor = 1100 lost jobs in the U.S. Here comes cap & trade, nationalized health care and a new climate bill, all of which will worsen an already bad situation. More change anyone?

says workers need help; hate

Submitted by coventry67 on Sat, 10/31/2009 at 3:24 pm.

says workers need help; hate to see gov go, this guy is sharp!

Let's see...

Submitted by electricpaul on Sat, 10/31/2009 at 2:30 pm.

Kaine lost the Ford plant in Norfolk, the paper plant in Franklin and nearly Oceana in Virginia Beach. I can only imagine all the other businesses that have gone under during his Governorship. At least he has his position as chairman of the DNC to fall back on...maybe he'll do to it what he has done to Virginia. If we could be so lucky...

Paperweight Factory is doing just fine

Submitted by General Booth on Sat, 10/31/2009 at 1:14 pm.

Not everything is closing in Franklin.

Read all about it -

http://tidewaterlog.blogspot.com/2009/10/franklin-paperweight-factory-to-stay.html

Franklin's People are Strong

Submitted by Jerseycitysteve on Sat, 10/31/2009 at 10:43 am.

The people here know hard times are coming but will not wallow in bitterness or pointless political finger pointing.

Our help won't come from Washington or Richmond but, by God's grace, from within.

I'm thankful Governor Kaine came here and I wish our next Governor wisdom and courage, but no matter who's elected on Tuesday we will struggle. Perhaps, these terrible events will allow us to recover the self reliance and faith to rebuild that our ancestors had in 1865.

I was born in New Jersey but my place is here.

Hey Timmy....While you were

Submitted by Jon1982 on Sat, 10/31/2009 at 9:05 am.

Hey Timmy....While you were off working with the DNC to raise money for your socialist agenda, Virginia workers were losing jobs. Mark my words, unions notwithstanding, the democrats are going to feel the wrath of the voters in 2010. Keep up the good work for the DNC.

Paper Mill

Submitted by Prairiedog on Sat, 10/31/2009 at 8:12 am.

Kaine, Warner,& Webb are the politicians who persuaded them to keep the mill open. Never happen! Shows how much pull and favor the politicians have anymore....NONE. No one has respect for senators and representatives anymore because they all "appear" to be two-faced and less than honest with their people. Where's Jesse, Al and Paul when we need them,....not enough blacks work there for them to become involved.

International Paper Closing

Submitted by LFrancis on Sat, 10/31/2009 at 7:52 pm.

Whats wrong with you!! We've all known International Paper would close the Franklin mill when it was purchased 10 years ago. Not just "if" but "when" it would close. No politicians, NOT EVEN Jessie , Al or Paul, could help in the closure. Why do you even mention race or these men? You are so narrow minded.

Did You say That

Submitted by mapatty on Sat, 10/31/2009 at 5:37 pm.

Are you saying the papermill practice discrimnation.

Did You Say That Prairiedog

Submitted by LFrancis on Sat, 10/31/2009 at 8:10 pm.

Does someone think Interntional Paper has a discrimination problem? Maybe the mill is closing because of black people? What's wrong with you prairiedog?