USW Lauds International Paper's Decision to Reopen Franklin, Virginia Mill

200 New Jobs Will Boost Local Economy

PITTSBURGH, May 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Steelworkers Union (USW) officials praised International Paper's (IP) decision to implement a project that could lead to the redevelopment of the Franklin, Va., mill. The union has worked with the company since the closure with the hope of developing other options for the site.

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USW International Vice President Jon Geenen, who heads the union's paper sector, said: "We have never given up on trying to help our members and their community, including reaching out with IP to public officials to emphasize the potential and opportunity that exists on the site. We are excited about the possibilities associated with the redevelopment project in Franklin and the opportunity it creates by moving the facility toward markets with a bright future in a modern economy. IP's decision represents a huge gain for the Franklin area and Virginia at a time when family sustaining jobs are increasingly hard to come by."

"We have been working closely with IP for the past several months on a platform that would encourage alternatives that would help make repurposing the site a viable option," said Stan Johnson, International-Secretary Treasurer and IP Council Chair. "This project will return hundreds of good-paying, advanced manufacturing jobs to Franklin. We commend IP for not giving up on options for this site and making the investment that should lead to jobs for another generation."

IP plans to hire 200 workers to produce fluff pulp at the facility. Fluff pulp is an absorbent material used in diapers, baby wipes and feminine hygiene products. The company's $83 million investment in reopening a portion of its mill will enable it to produce 27,000 metric tons of fluff pulp annually. The USW will represent the workers.

Equally important is that the commitment to fluff pulp opens up new possibilities for other uses of the site, and potentially even more jobs. IP decided to reopen the facility because of the work force, the plant's existing technology and capability, transportation, and the availability of U.S. Southern pine in the region.

The project is an example of how the key to the success of the U.S. paper industry is finding and investing in vibrant, growing markets that will be a source of stability in the years to come.

The USW is the largest industrial union in North America and has 850,000 members in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. It represents 100,000 paper workers and workers employed in metals, rubber, chemicals, oil refining, atomic energy and the service sector.

Contact:
John Geenen, USW Intl. Vice-President, c) 920-540-5921
Lynne Baker, USW Communications, o) 615-831-6782, c) 615-828-6169

SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)