Woodland Pulp Workers Issue Open Letter to the Baileyville Community
The following is a letter union leaders of IAMAW1490, SEIU 330-3 and Millwrights 1121 sent to the Baileyville community regarding the current strike at Woodland Pulp in Baileyville.
Dear Residents of Baileyville,
We, the members of your local unions, are currently on strike at Woodland Pulp. We are also members of the Baileyville community, so it is our obligation to communicate with you about the ongoing strike. This is not a decision we have taken lightly, and we want to explain our reasons and emphasize how deeply we care about the well-being of our community.
For many years, we, the workers of Woodland Pulp here in Baileyville, have dedicated ourselves to the service of this community. Our tax dollars have helped ensure the smooth operation of schools, healthcare facilities, public utilities, and other vital services, making it the thriving and compassionate community we all love.
However, despite our unwavering commitment, we find ourselves at a crossroads where we must stand up for our rights and dignity as workers. The decision to strike is not one we make with joy but out of necessity and a profound commitment to bettering the lives of our members and, in turn, the community we cherish.
We must highlight that this strike is not about money but job protection and preserving our job classifications. These are the most critical issues we are currently fighting for, not financial gain.
We have dedicated our lives to perfecting our craft and can’t let our sacrifices over the years be taken away by the stroke of a pen.
We want to set the record straight. We have expressed a willingness to return to the negotiation table. Unfortunately, as a sign of disrespect to workers and the community, Woodland Pulp has recently contracted with Strom Engineering Corp. to hire temporary replacement workers from outside Maine. I’m afraid that’s not right for our community. We remain determined to protect our jobs and, by extension, our beloved community’s stability and prosperity.
Our primary concern is job security. The company wants to eliminate jobs and job classifications here in Baileyville. The company presented a proposal to classify workers under the same general category. Our membership and union allies will do whatever it takes to protect our jobs, job classifications, and our community that rely on the good union jobs at Woodland Pulp.
We want to emphasize that our decision to strike is driven by our commitment to making Baileyville an even better place to live, work, and raise families. We care deeply about this community and aim to see it thrive. Our sacrifices today will lead to a brighter and more equitable tomorrow for all.
In closing, we are grateful for the support from many community members who understand our struggle and share our vision for a stronger Baileyville. We would appreciate your understanding during this challenging time and support as we strive to make our community a better place for everyone.
We believe in Baileyville’s potential, and together, we can make it a place where every resident can lead a fulfilling and dignified life.
Joshua Kinney
President, IAMAWLocal Lodge 1490
Ryan Beers
President, Millwrights Local Lodge 1121
Mike Murphy
President, SEIU Local Lodge 330-3