Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco
Issue: Environmental and Social Justice
Program Topic: Reactions to Bucksport Paper Mill Closure Announcement
Key Discussion Points:
a) Last week, Verso announced it will close it’s paper mill in Bucksport in December, laying off 570 workers.
b) Today we get the perspective of two longtime workers and union members at the mill.
c) They reflect on the reasons, the potential impacts on the community, and on the lack of financial or community accountability by large corporations, such as Verso.
Guests:
A) Emery Deabay : has worked at the Bucksport Mill for over 30 years, is president of the United Steelworkers of Maine, union local 1188, and is running for state legislature in as a Democrat District 40 (Bucksport and Orrington) http://bangordailynews.com/2014/10/15/opinion/contributors/taxpayers-have-subsidized-companies-success-wheres-the-return/
B) Linda Murch has worked at the Bucksport Mill for over 15 years. She is currently on leave, working at the Alliance for American Manufacturing http://www.americanmanufacturing.org/blog/entry/a-paper-mills-closing-hits-home-for-this-aam-staffer