Originally published February 9, 2009 at 2:15 p.m., updated February 9, 2009 at 2:15 p.m.
Smurfit Stone Container is closing its facility in St. Joseph and terminating all workers.
The company sent a letter to Mayor Ken Shearin alerting him to the situation. The letter was dated Feb. 6 and received in the Mayor's office on Monday. The company is required to file the notification under the WARN act.
According to the letter, the plant at 2315 Lower Lake Road will close April 7.
Workers at Smurfit Stone's cardboard box factory have been on strike since Dec. 1. They have been picketing outside the plant, which appears to be mostly idle.
The list of employees included with the letter names about 85 workers who will be terminated. Their years of service range from 37 years to a few months. Most of the hourly pay was $14 to $15 per hour.
Smurfit Stone is one of the world's largest cardboard box manufacturers and filed for reorganization bankruptcy in January.
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2thepoint says...
Sorry, you guys were in a tough situation.
February 9, 2009 at 3 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
onefootin says...
You guys have gotten a raw deal every way from Sunday here. I really hope the Teamsters make the effort to at least pull out some severance for you.
February 9, 2009 at 3:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
devinbroncs123 says...
I agree "onefootin". I fell badly for the workers there. You guys have been treated poorly as of late and it's an absolute shame that something like that can happen. You guys take it easy and I hope there is something for you when they shut down.
February 9, 2009 at 4:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pepelepew57 says...
Boy, the Union really helped all those people out didn't they. Union's are a joke. Especially in this town. Of course, workers with a "me first" attitude don't help the situation none either. Workers got what they deserve.
February 9, 2009 at 6:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
howarddecker says...
Congratulations! You made your point. You coplained about the plant working you too many hours. You won't have to worry about that any more.
I am truly sorry you lost your jobs. But you can't say you didn,t expect it. Bad decision to strike. Bad advice given to you by your union.
February 9, 2009 at 6:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stjoereplant says...
14.00 an hour and many hours of work was the reason the employees went on strike? talk about DUMB!! I hope all the employees have a good time standing in line for a job at taco bell for 8.00 an hour! unions are a joke_look what they did to the grocery industry here in the late 70s, and look where it got us??
February 9, 2009 at 9:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
238er says...
And the union thinks they can still pull this one out of the fire. What idiots. If the union wanted to save these jobs they would have pulled out completely.
February 9, 2009 at 10:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bfattik says...
As a Union member from a diffrent company I can say I am proud to be union and I wouldnt want it any other way. This is not the unions fault the workers choose to go on strike they took a vote the union didnt say that had to doit. Ive worked union and non union jobs and lets just say I am pro union better pay better insurance and respect for a working employee all things a union do for you. They cant protect you from the economy and thats why this plant is closing.
February 10, 2009 at 12:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )