Maine House and Senate leaders from both parties have written letters to Verso management expressing their concern that the company is delaying severance payments to several hundred Bucksport mill workers who were recently informed of the mill's closure. Democratic House Speaker Mark Eves says state law makes it clear that earned severance must be paid within one regular payment period after the employees' last full day of work, which is expected to be Dec. 31.
"The company is saying they have the right to delay these payments. We're saying, 'Do the right thing, follow the state statute which is pretty clear and pay these workers now,' " Eves says. "It's cold outside. They're losing their jobs. Christmas is around the corner. They need the money now, not later."
Eves says company officials have previously stated that they may go to court and delay severance payments for three months. In their letter, legislative leaders write that they stand with Gov. Paul LePage and the state Labor Commissioner Jeanne Paquette in urging Verso to comply with the law.
