STATE SUES GREAT NORTHERN PARENT COMPANY FOR EMPLOYEE SEVERANCE PAY

November 30, 2004

NOVEMBER 30, 2004

CHARLES DOW, DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS & LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS, 207-626-8577

 

            Attorney General Steven Rowe announced that his office has filed a complaint today in Kennebec County Superior Court alleging that Inexcon Maine, Inc., owes severance pay to former Great Northern Paper, Inc. (GNP) workers at a rate of one week’s pay for each year of employment with GNP.  Inexcon Maine owned GNP, which operated paper mills at Millinocket and East Millinocket.  The Bureau of Labor Standards in the Maine Department of Labor estimates that Inexcon Maine owes more than $25 million to more than 1,100 workers.  Workers who had less than three years at GNP are not eligible for severance pay. 

            Attorney General Rowe said, “State law provides severance pay to these workers.  We promise to work as hard as we can to help these workers get what their long service has earned them.”

            Rowe thanked the Maine Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Standards for their considerable work in investigating and preparing this large case for filing.

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