MILLINOCKET (AP) – The president of the paperworkers union at the Katahdin Paper mills in Millinocket and East Millinocket says his membership is in line for an automatic pay hike.

Louis Ouellette of Local 152 of the United Paperworkers International Union told WLBZ-TV that if either side fails to approach the other 60 days before the current contract expires, it automatically renews for a year and union members get a 21/2 percent raise.

With the contract set to expire May 1, Ouellette says neither side contacted the other and the renewal clause has gone into effect.

Ouellette says unions are continuing to seek severance for workers laid off since the Millinocket mill closed in the fall. There’s been no indication as to when the mill may reopen.



Information from: WLBZ-TV, http://www.wlbz2.com

AP-ES-03-31-09 1813EDT


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