May 10th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

Verso Corporation has announced that the closing date for the Luke Mill has been moved up- with May 31 now identified as the target date-    although some employees will still be needed through the end of June.  The initial plant closing announcement made last week stated that the mill would close at the end of June but employees have now been notified that the closing is coming in just a few weeks. Mill manager Jeff Yoder in information distributed to workers- acknowledged that it is not known how the closing will be handled.  According to Yoder- the company is obligated to pay wages and benefits through June 30, 2019.  Moving forward the company asked that all members “stay focused”  on the job at hand. He says the union's ultimate goal is to keep the facility in an operational state for a potential sale. Those possibilities are still being explored and discussed. The memo ends with Yoder saying he is proud of how the employees have conducted themselves during this difficult time- and pledged to provide more details out the  shutdown schedule as soon as they are known.