BAILEYVILLE, Maine — Workers in Baileyville walked the picket line Monday as contract negotiations continue to stall between two unions representing mechanics and oilers, and Woodland Pulp—the largest employer in Washington County.
This latest strike centers not on wages, but on a new effort by the company to encourage tradesmen with highly specialized training to adopt a more general skillset. Michael Murphy, a worker on strike, told NEWS CENTER Maine the company is "trying to make everyone basically do every job here."
The company plans to implement a tier system, which would require workers to complete continuing education modules in a broad range of jobs in order to climb tiers—even if they have worked for years at the Baileyville plant. To many on strike, this is an insult to employees with decades of experience who, under the proposal, might be placed on the same tier as someone brand new.
"It's like they think anybody can do our work and it makes us feel like, 'Why even bother and have pride?'" Joshua Kinney, the president of Local 1490 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers—one of the unions on strike—said Monday.
Kinney, a mobile parts mechanic, says even a few weeks of training in another area to become a generalist would hurt his skills. That, he worries, would ultimately impact the safety of workers at the sprawling plant located just across the St. Croix River from New Brunswick.
"If I get pulled up to be a general mechanic, I'm going to be dealing with a lot of stuff. [If it's the] first time dealing with it… I may not know the hazards," Kinney said.
But representatives of Woodland Pulp say their vision for a tier system of mechanics is being misunderstood.
Brendan Wolf, the executive director of human resources at Woodland Pulp, says the company’s proposals would expand opportunities for workers while adding to their central roles.
“Arguably, it can enhance those skillsets. We just want them to develop more than their core skill at this plant," Wolf said.
As for the safety concerns raised if a more generalist mindset were to be adopted, Wolf roundly rejected the idea that the tier system could result in hazards, adding, "We wouldn't put someone out there if they're not capable of performing the work."
As of Monday evening, no deal has been reached to end the strike.