About 80 workers plan to go on strike starting Oct. 15 at a wood pulp facility in Baileyville, according to a statement from the Maine AFL-CIO.

Workers “voted overwhelmingly to reject Woodland Pulp, LLC’s contract offer and to strike for a fair contract,” the union announced Friday, “barring a drastic change in a company proposal that would eviscerate the membership’s job security.”

Spectrum News has reached out to Woodland Pulp for comment.

“Company management is attempting to replace millwright, pipefitter, machinists and auto mechanic positions with a general mechanic classification,” the statement reads. “Membership surveys have made it clear that protecting their core trades is the bargaining unit’s top priority.
“The IAM filed an Unfair Labor Practice Charge with the National Labor Relations Board against the company for refusing to bargain in good faith after Woodland management waited until negotiations were well underway to reveal its concessionary job classification proposal, and then refused to provide satisfactory financial information.”

AFL-CIO stated that about 22 machinists union members will strike on Oct. 15 shortly after midnight, followed by 20 millwrights and 38 oilers and steam and water plant operators.

The workers are members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 1490 District 4, Service Employees International Union Local 330-3 and Millwrights Local 1121.

“Our membership is willing to do whatever it takes to protect their jobs and a community that relies on good union jobs at Woodland Pulp,” IAM District 4 Business Representative Danny Loudermilk said in the statement. “No one ever wants to strike, but our members are proud of their work and they will stand strong against this blatant attempt to eliminate jobs here in Baileyville.”

IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan added: “The IAM is providing every resource necessary to obtain a fair contract for our dedicated membership at Woodland Pulp,” said “As a native Mainer, I know the vital importance of preserving career pathways for our communities.”

Negotiations began in August, according to the union’s statement.

Baileyville is a small community of about 1,300 on the Canadian border.