Friday, Nov. 18

Workers at the Woodland Pulp mill in Baileyville, Maine are demanding that the company present a contract offer that provides high enough wage increases to keep up with the cost of living. The members of USW Local 27 will be projecting the union’s “Bat Light” on the side of the tissue machines at the mill today with the message “Essential Workers Deserve a Fair Contract.” Union members are scheduled to take a vote on whether to strike or accept the company’s final after their bargaining session with the company on November 28.

“Whenever there was trouble in Gotham City, they would project the Bat Light on a building to summon Batman. The USW Bat Light signals that workers are ready to strike if their employer refuses to bargain a fair contract and that the 1.2 million members of the United Steelworkers have their backs,” said USW staff representative Mike Higgins. “USW 27 members worked very hard through the pandemic to produce essential products for the American people. Unfortunately, the company has refused to present an offer that respects their hard work and dedication. With record-high inflation, essential workers deserve wages that keep up with the rising cost of living. We strongly urge the company to present a fair contract to avoid a potential strike.”