Job loss comparison: 240 Grays Harbor County = 6,300 King County (source KING 5)
Also see KOMO
Grays Harbor Paper closing Hoquiam mill (link down)
Continuing coverage KXRO KBKW
Mill Closure Press Release
Grays Harbor Paper closing Hoquiam mill (link down)
Continuing coverage KXRO KBKW
From 5/27/2011 Facebook GHPaper:
ALL (Union and Non-Union) Grays Harbor Paper and Barrier West Employees: There is going to be an informational meeting put on by the WA State Labor Council at the Aberdeen Elks on Wednesday June 1st at 10AM. We will get information about education and re-training assistance. Please let other Team Members know!
Its just sad. The towns of Aberdeen and Hoquiam are dying.
ReplyDeleteI've lived in Aberdeen for 41 of my 42 years, and am hoping to relocate after this summer.
I can remember a time (way back in the crazy 70's) when I was in grade school. I befriended two different kids whose families relocated here in hopes of finding work. My stepfather and his friends all worked in various mills locally (Evans Products, Weyco, Rayonier, Mayr Bros etc), and literally after making a couple of calls they had both fathers set up with jobs at Mayr Brothers, and Grays Harbor Veneer.
Those days are literally gone forever, along with the good wages. Now Aberdeen is just one big service industry shithole.
Enough whining, back to looking for work
Thank you so much for adding in your story, the voices of everyone impacted by the changes are important to hear.
ReplyDeleteHope you find a decent job soon. I wonder what the answer is for places like Aberdeen & Hoquiam.