I would like to comment on an article in the Friday issue of The Herald, “Mill union rejects contract.” I was appalled at Kimberly-Clark mill manager Scott Helker’s comment, “… a final offer that represents a significant improvement over the old contract.”
This is the worst contract that I have seen in years. Not only is the K-C management bargaining board offering a health benefits package that is inferior to our current program, but they are proposing wage cuts in certain departments while giving a general wage increase to the rest of the mill. If K-C is so desperate to cut costs, then why not look at the extreme ratio of salary/hourly employees of approximately 1 to 8. Give me a break, a normal first grade class in this area runs a teacher/student ratio of approximately 1 to 20. Isn’t there something wrong with this picture?
I must say that until last week, I was impressed that the company hadn’t come out with threats of plant viability. In a letter to all employees about the contract, Scott Helker states, “As part of restructuring, K-C has announced that it may close as many as 20(out of 188)” “So far, 8 mills have been decided upon and announced for closure and, quite honestly, we don’t know at this point whether our mill will be among the remaining 12 or so that may be identified for closure in the future.”
We have in the past received threats in order to push approval for a contract. That is not going to happen again. I would like to encourage the public who buy and use K-C products to please do so with a conscience.
Joanne Cooper
AWPPW Local 644
Marysville
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