53 paper mill employees get walking papers

The work force at International Paper's mill outside Franklin will shrink below 200 after today, a company spokeswoman said.
Today will be the last day of work for 53 mill employees, said Donna Wads-worth, a spokeswoman for International Paper. That will leave the mill with 165 workers, she said.
When International Paper announced in October that it would close the mill, the work force numbered 1,100. The mill stopped producing paper April 15. It has been phasing out its staff, which still is cleaning the mill and preparing equipment for shipping.