Reactions to IP Courtland Mill Closing

http://www.decaturdaily.com/news/lawrence_county/article_b9b38efa-1af5-11e3-81c2-0019bb30f31a.html

International Paper Alabama mill shutdown seen hitting local economy, county finances, schools.

International Paper plans to close its Courtland mill because of declining demand for its product, the company announced today.

The plant is the largest employer in Lawrence County with about 1,100 employees.
The mill will shut down in stages with a full closure expected by March 31.

http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2013/09/sen_roger_bedford_republican_l.html

Alabama official urges state to move to save IP’s Courtland mill from closure that could impact 2,000 area jobs.

In the wake of an announcement Wednesday that International Paper will close its Courtland paper mill and leave 1,100 workers out of work by early 2014, Sen. Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, is calling on the Republican supermajority and Gov. Robert Bentley to save the facility and "show guidance in a dire situation."
Bedford said the loss of the Courtland plant could impact up to 2,000 jobs in the surrounding areas. In a prepared statement released Wednesday, Bedford said the announcement that Lawrence County's largest employer will close is "a sad Christmas present to the workers of Courtland."

http://www.usw.org/districts/new/page?district=9&type=news_releases&id=0100

The USW was shocked and saddened by IP management's unexpected announcement this morning that it plans to close its Courtland, Alabama paper mill, impacting about 850 Steelworkers belonging to locals 93, 1137 and 1161.
Beyond that, however, the permanent closure of the historically profitable mill will have profound economic repercussions throughout northern Alabama and the paper industry as a whole, as Courtland is the largest IP mill in North America - and possibly the largest IP mill anywhere.
Due to diminishing demand for our products made worse by a flood of cheap paper imports, the company anticipates shutting down two machines by the end of the year, with the remaining two scheduled to be closed early next year.
The next step is for our union to enter effects bargaining with IP. Effects bargaining will cover issues such as severance pay, transfer rights to other IP facilities and other provisions to ensure Steelworkers at IP Courtland are treated fairly by the company.
In addition, the USW will work with IP, government agencies and independently to make certain that IP Steelworkers have access to benefits and training through Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA), available through the U.S. Department of Labor to help workers who have lost their jobs as a result of imports. 

http://romenews-tribune.com/view/full_story/23582861/article-Rome-International-Paper-mill--remains-valuable-and-strategic--Ala--plant-lays-off-1-100-workers?instance=home_most_popular

IP official says Rome, GA, linerboard mill remains ‘valuable and strategic' in wake of Alabama printing paper mill closure.  
Changing technology is in large part responsible for International Paper's decision to close a plant in Alabama and lay off 1,100 workers, company officials said Wednesday.

The same fundamental technology is also responsible for a stable future at the massive International Paper plant in Rome. The mill produces linerboard, which is used in packaging products.
"It is a growing business and it's been a very profitable business," said Thomas Ryan, director of communication for International Paper in Memphis.