Maryland and West Virginia Members Push for Meeting with Verso CEO before Luke Mill Operations Shutdown

Last night, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Congressmen David Trone (D-Md.) and David McKinley (R-W.Va) wrote to Verso’s Interim CEO Leslie Lederer asking him to meet with the delegation before Luke paper mill operations cease on May 31, 2019. The members expressed their deep concern about the future of the mill, its workers, and the entire community.

“Our constituents deserve to know what Verso Corporation’s plans are for the future of the plant. The workers at Luke Mill, many of whom are represented by United Steelworkers, deserve to be treated fairly in negotiations with Verso Corporation. We believe Luke Mill employees deserve consideration that is similar to what Verso Corporation provided to recently departed President and CEO Chris DiSantis,” they wrote. “The surrounding communities in Maryland and West Virginia need answers regarding the continuation of services that are now at risk, including water supply and wastewater treatment. The communities that have kept Luke Mill running since 1888 deserve better than to be left in the lurch.”

The full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Mr. Lederer:

We are writing regarding the announcement that Verso Corporation is shutting down operations at Luke Mill effective May 31, 2019. We are deeply concerned about the future of the mill, its workers, and the surrounding communities. We would like to discuss these concerns with you before the scheduled shutdown of the mill.

Our constituents deserve to know what Verso Corporation’s plans are for the future of the plant. The workers at Luke Mill, many of whom are represented by United Steelworkers, deserve to be treated fairly in negotiations with Verso Corporation. We believe Luke Mill employees deserve consideration that is similar to what Verso Corporation provided to recently departed President and CEO Chris DiSantis. The surrounding communities in Maryland and West Virginia need answers regarding the continuation of services that are now at risk, including water supply and wastewater treatment. The communities that have kept Luke Mill running since 1888 deserve better than to be left in the lurch.

We look forward to discussing these issues with you as soon as possible this week.

Sincerely,

###