More Job Layoffs Under Steve Kagen

From Steve Kagens Own Web site.

"Economic Crisis: The Medicine We Need

We are engaged in the economic emergency of our generation and we need thoughtful leaders who have good judgment.

Our economy has been wounded by three simultaneous shots: a worldwide collapse in the financial markets, a severe credit crunch, and dramatic failures in our housing and automobile markets. During the past few years, through no fault of their own, some 3.6 million Americans have lost their jobs, and in spite of all we are doing to reverse this downward spiral, another two to three million jobs may disappear in 2009. In parts of Northeast Wisconsin, unemployment rates have hit 12 percent.

Simply put, everyone is losing something. Workers are losing their jobs. Retirees are losing their life savings. Small business owners are losing their customers. Big Banks are broke, and corporate earnings are falling off a cliff. We are all wondering, "Is my job going to be the next one to disappear?""
Economic Crisis: The Medicine We Need

How is Congressman Kagen's medicine doing in the 8th district on jobs? From the Green Bay Press.

"Update: Georgia-Pacific to cut 158 jobs at Day Street

By Richard Ryman • rryman@greenbaypressgazette.com • December 2, 2009

Georgia-Pacific will lay off 158 workers at its Day Street mill beginning Feb. 2, according to a notice filed with the state.

The Green Bay papermaker said in a WARN notice dated Dec. 1 that it would permanently reduce operations at the Day Street plant, including shutting down some operations on Monday. They include the secondary fiber plant, paper machine No. 8 and the north wall tissue converting lines. The company said it also would indefinitely curtail two retail towel converting lines.

The company identified 158 jobs to be eliminated. It employs about 600 people at the mill.

Workers at Day Street are represented by United Steelworkers Local 2-327 and Local 2-213.

Georgia-Pacific representatives on Wednesday would not confirm the layoffs, but did say they will have an announcement on Friday. Company policy is to meet with all employees before speaking publicly about work force changes. The last employee meeting is scheduled for 4:30 a.m. Friday.

“Our commitment to them is always to communicate to them first,” said Mary Jo Malach, company spokeswoman.

Georgia-Pacific employs 2,600 people in Brown County. It operates tissue converting mills at 500 Day St. and 1919 S. Broadway. It also owns EcoSource Corp., a recycling operation at 300 Seventh St., off South Broadway.

Broadway mill workers are not represented by a union.

When Georgia-Pacific acquired Fort James Corp. in 2000, Brown County operations had 3,700 employees. The number was closer to 3,000 by 2006.

The company has invested more than $130 million in local operations, mostly on new, more efficient equipment." Update: Georgia-Pacific to cut 158 jobs at Day Street | greenbaypressgazette.com | Green Bay Press-Gazette

Jobs, jobs, jobs!