Laid-off Weyerhaeuser workers look to future

Many employees affected by the layoffs at Weyerhaeuser last week attended a workshop to further understand the benefits available to them through the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act that was recently announced.

Retraining appeared the popular choice as various options were presented.

Cal St. Peter is currently enrolled at Flathead Valley Community College and studying to become a heavy equipment operator.

“It’s a hoot,” he said, “I’ve already gained a lot of knowledge.”

St. Peter worked for the mill for 13-1/2 years.

Misty Anderson was quick to turn to retraining.

After 14-1/2 years working as a gang operator, “I was laid off Aug.19 and started school the next Monday,” she said.

She is studying radiology at FVCC, currently working on pre-requisite course work.

Under the TAA, individuals who choose to return to school are required to earn a marketable degree. This opens the doors to several courses offered at FVCC.

“I’ve got some ideas I’d like to take up,” said Randy Weed, who worked at the mill for 33-1/2 years. “I already started checking into college. I’d like to do culinary possibly, but it’s tight to get into that class.” .

While many in the audience saw offers of assistance in paying for new training, both in classroom and on the job, continued unemployment income, relocation assistance, and healthcare tax credits, there was less certainty for some.

The current petition for assistance under the TAA refers specifically to the wood products division, which leaves employees at the Cedar Palace unsure of whether they qualify.

About 100 lost their jobs at the mills, with another 100 set to lose their jobs when the Cedar Palace closes at the end of this month.

The Cedar Palace employees were reassured by Flathead Job Service Manager Laura Gardner that, should they not qualify for benefits under the current TAA petition, another will be filed to offer them the same assistance. A national emergency grant has also been applied for, and that money, if granted, will go to helping laid-off workers as well.

“A lot of people are in the same boat. We don’t know what’s available,” said Tim Gould, a senior project management analyst with Weyerhaeuser.

Gould was informed last March that his position would be terminated, and since then he said, it’s been “a roller coaster.”

“I’ve been looking since the program was first made available,” Gould said.

There were opportunities to remain employed by Weyerhaeuser, but he would have taken a significant pay cut.

“I’d rather go back and be retrained,” Gould said.