Sappi Fine Paper has increased security at its Westbrook mill following a strike vote authorization by United Steelworkers Union Local 1069 last week.
Representatives from the union have criticized the move, saying the extra security is unnecessary and the union feels it is a tactic to try and put pressure on the workers.
While the union has not initiated a strike yet, the company is acting to protect its investments, according to Sappi spokesperson Brooke Carey. The union, for its part, believes the company is attempting to intimidate the workers, said union President Brian Wade.
“It’s somewhat typical of what companies do when they try to intimidate us,” said Wade. “It’s nothing they need. We’re not happy with it.”
Wade said the action would be understandable if the union does choose to strike, but at this point, it’s not needed
Sappi said the company hired the extra security as a precaution in response to the strike authorization vote, and denied the move was an attempt to influence its employees.
“In no way was the hiring of increased security personnel at the mill a means of intimidation,” said Carey. “If they hadn’t authorized a strike, we wouldn’t have had to increase security and make contingency plans to serve our customers and run our business.”
Carey said the mill has security personnel on hand all the time to protect employees and the land and to ensure competitors can’t get in and get a free tour of the facilities.
The mill’s security personnel are unarmed and usually limited to areas outside the mill. Wade said the increased security guards have taken to walking on the roofs and also inside the mill, which he believes is an intimidation ploy.
Carey said the increased security and contingency planning is in the case the union decides to strike. If it does choose to strike, the company will have a 36-hour notice. Carey said this is a short time, so the company needs to be prepared. She said Sappi would do whatever it legally could to ensure its business continues. She said the extra security would remain in place until the union informs the company it is not striking.
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