U.S. senators offer support
Wellstone, Dayton pledge their help to Potlatch employees
Bordered by stacks of Potlatch paper, Potlatch employees on Friday told two U.S. senators from Minnesota they were not ready to give up yet.
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In an emotionally charged meeting, employees were moved to tears as co-workers spoke of a Potlatch work tradition that extended through generations and of the family atmosphere inside the plant.
Monday, 616 employees learned Potlatch sold its coating printing paper division to a South African-based company and plans to close the Brainerd mill in 60 days.
Sens. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., and Mark Dayton, R-Minn., flew to Brainerd by 10:30 a.m. Friday from Washington, D.C. Rebecca Yanisch, state Department of Trade and Economic Development commissioner, joined them at the mill in northeast Brainerd. About 250 Potlatch workers awaited them, seated in metal folding chairs or standing nearby along the paper stacks in the shipping room.
Minnesota Sens. Paul Wellstone (left) and Mark Dayton listened to a presentation by Potlatch employees on the assets the Brainerd mill has to offer a prospective buyer at a meeting Friday at the plant. (Dispatch Photos by Steve Kohls)
"We hope in your short time here you'll feel a sense of the feeling we have," said Don Andersen, acting mill manager. "We are looking forward tosome help -- any kind that you can give to us."
Both senators said they did not want false hopes or expectations regarding the potential for other uses of the plant, but pledged their support and said Friday's visit was not a sign of temporary interest. Both spoke against a foreign trade policy through the Clinton and now the Bush administrations and the effect on workers in central and northern Minnesota.
"I can feel the determination of everyone," Wellstone said following worker presentations. Wellstone said one effort was to make sure workers had extended unemployment benefits. "We are determined to help in every way we know how to."
Wellstone and Dayton said they were willing to make calls or fly to meetings to assist efforts with a potential buyer for the Brainerd plant.
Potlatch employee Brad Herron listened to Sen. Paul Wellstone at a meeting of employees Friday at the Brainerd mill. (Dispatch Photos by Steve Kohls)
"It is very emotional to hear your stories and understand the depth of your tradition here," Dayton said. "... We won't stop until we've exhausted every possibility."
At the same time the senators spoke with workers, the Displaced Worker Program's rapid response team was meeting the management down the hall from Potlatch's shipping room. Yanisch said speaking with workers was helpful in terms of knowing more about the plant's capabilities.
"Our big push, our focus today is to prevent the doors from closing," Yanisch said.
Workers had questions about a possible employee effort to buy the plant. Yanisch said it was something to consider but a partner may be needed to have operating capital. Others had concerns about help with mortgage payments. Yanisch said Gov. Jesse Ventura's administration was looking into protection that would allow people to stay in their homes similar to help offered to Red River Valley flood victims. An employee expressed a certain amount of anger regarding the loss of the coating equipment in the sale agreement.
Potlatch employee Deanna Nelson reacted with sadness as employees talked about a sense of loss and determination to survive at a meeting of workers Friday with Sens. Paul Wellstone and Mark Dayton at the Brainerd mill.
By 2 p.m. the senators and Yanisch met with Potlatch's management transition team, heard an update from the Displaced Worker Program's rapid response team and outlined possible courses for action with community leaders at Brainerd City Hall.
During an employee Power Point presentation Friday, workers outlined equipment assets in the 400,000 square feet of manufacturing space located on the 128-acre Potlatch site. Workers spoke of employee abilities and previous training in team concepts, communication skills and leadership aspects.
"We've got a very talented and highly motivated work force here," said Bob Harting, union president. "We've just got a proven history of overcoming obstacles."
Employees outlined possible plant uses in specialty niche grade papers, such as parchment, greeting card, packaging, water mark, translucent and food grade paper. Six months ago the Brainerd mill developed an uncoated line of paper in shades of white or color. In the sale agreement between Potlatch and Sappi Limited there is a no-compete clause for production of coated paper.
There were occasional light moments of humor, but emotions rose in throats and filled eyes with tears as three employees spoke for the work force.
"First of all I love you guys," third-generation millwright Ron Ebinger said to employees. Ebinger started at the plant 36 years ago and worked through the transition from Northwest Paper Co. to Potlatch. He said Potlatch was good to the employees and he said the question was not what Potlatch has done for workers, but may be what the company will do for workers yet. Potlatch management previously said it was willing to work to actively seek a buyer for the plant.
"I can't tell you what a pleasure it is to work here with you," he said to co-workers. "... Do not -- do not give up. We are not going to leave this country. We're going to make it."
Worker Sandy Tautges said without opportunities the company provided her family would not have had college education or travel experience.
But it was the third speaker who appeared most to affect listeners who quietly leaned forward in their seats. Many wiped away tears.
"This is really hard," Denny Wickham said. "... A lot of us here had grandfathers help build the dam and make this place the best place to work and I don't want to see it quit and I don't think anybody here does. ... Now we need the people that are here to help us."
Wickham said his 30 years at Potlatch combine with his grandfather, father and son for more than 100 years of service.
"If somebody wants to come here and buy us we'll take you," he said. "You give us a chance, we'll make her run."some help -- any kind that you can give to us."
Both senators said they did not want false hopes or expectations regarding the potential for other uses of the plant, but pledged their support and said Friday's visit was not a sign of temporary interest. Both spoke against a foreign trade policy through the Clinton and now the Bush administrations and the effect on workers in central and northern Minnesota.
"I can feel the determination of everyone," Wellstone said following worker presentations. Wellstone said one effort was to make sure workers had extended unemployment benefits. "We are determined to help in every way we know how to."
Wellstone and Dayton said they were willing to make calls or fly to meetings to assist efforts with a potential buyer for the Brainerd plant.
"It is very emotional to hear your stories and understand the depth of your tradition here," Dayton said. "... We won't stop until we've exhausted every possibility."
At the same time the senators spoke with workers, the Displaced Worker Program's rapid response team was meeting the management down the hall from Potlatch's shipping room. Yanisch said speaking with workers was helpful in terms of knowing more about the plant's capabilities.
"Our big push, our focus today is to prevent the doors from closing," Yanisch said.
Workers had questions about a possible employee effort to buy the plant. Yanisch said it was something to consider but a partner may be needed to have operating capital. Others had concerns about help with mortgage payments. Yanisch said Gov. Jesse Ventura's administration was looking into protection that would allow people to stay in their homes similar to help offered to Red River Valley flood victims. An employee expressed a certain amount of anger regarding the loss of the coating equipment in the sale agreement.
By 2 p.m. the senators and Yanisch met with Potlatch's management transition team, heard an update from the Displaced Worker Program's rapid response team and outlined possible courses for action with community leaders at Brainerd City Hall.
During an employee Power Point presentation Friday, workers outlined equipment assets in the 400,000 square feet of manufacturing space located on the 128-acre Potlatch site. Workers spoke of employee abilities and previous training in team concepts, communication skills and leadership aspects.
"We've got a very talented and highly motivated work force here," said Bob Harting, union president. "We've just got a proven history of overcoming obstacles."
Employees outlined possible plant uses in specialty niche grade papers, such as parchment, greeting card, packaging, water mark, translucent and food grade paper. Six months ago the Brainerd mill developed an uncoated line of paper in shades of white or color. In the sale agreement between Potlatch and Sappi Limited there is a no-compete clause for production of coated paper.
There were occasional light moments of humor, but emotions rose in throats and filled eyes with tears as three employees spoke for the work force.
"First of all I love you guys," third-generation millwright Ron Ebinger said to employees. Ebinger started at the plant 36 years ago and worked through the transition from Northwest Paper Co. to Potlatch. He said Potlatch was good to the employees and he said the question was not what Potlatch has done for workers, but may be what the company will do for workers yet. Potlatch management previously said it was willing to work to actively seek a buyer for the plant.
"I can't tell you what a pleasure it is to work here with you," he said to co-workers. "... Do not -- do not give up. We are not going to leave this country. We're going to make it."
Worker Sandy Tautges said without opportunities the company provided her family would not have had college education or travel experience.
But it was the third speaker who appeared most to affect listeners who quietly leaned forward in their seats. Many wiped away tears.
"This is really hard," Denny Wickham said. "... A lot of us here had grandfathers help build the dam and make this place the best place to work and I don't want to see it quit and I don't think anybody here does. ... Now we need the people that are here to help us."
Wickham said his 30 years at Potlatch combine with his grandfather, father and son for more than 100 years of service.
"If somebody wants to come here and buy us we'll take you," he said. "You give us a chance, we'll make her run."