LONGVIEW, Wash. -- Longview Fibre Paper and Packaging is closing one of its paper machines Tuesday and laying off about 90 hourly workers by next week.
Fibre President Frank McShane says the slowing economy reduced demand for products produced at the No. 9 machine, including lightweight container board used in corrugated boxes and kraft paper used in cement bags.
McShane says the move is a business decision and the company will re-evaluate whether to restart the machine next year.
Union leader Roger Fisher says the latest layoffs are unexpected.
Fisher says the company's union work force has declined from about 1,200 before additional layoffs were announced last year to roughly 870.
The pulp and paper mill was sold to Brookfield Asset Management for $2.15 billion last year, ending 80 years of local family management.
Fibre President Frank McShane says the slowing economy reduced demand for products produced at the No. 9 machine, including lightweight container board used in corrugated boxes and kraft paper used in cement bags.
McShane says the move is a business decision and the company will re-evaluate whether to restart the machine next year.
Union leader Roger Fisher says the latest layoffs are unexpected.
Fisher says the company's union work force has declined from about 1,200 before additional layoffs were announced last year to roughly 870.
The pulp and paper mill was sold to Brookfield Asset Management for $2.15 billion last year, ending 80 years of local family management.
