Workers at the Sappi Paper Mill in Skowhegan, Maine are threatening to go on strike if a contract agreement with company management is not reached soon. Workers are represented by the United Steelworkers union, and the union states that there are major worker shortages at the paper mill that results in employees working double shifts and long hours. Double shifts are 24 hours long, and the union is concerned that these long hours are dangerous to workers who operate heavy machinery. In addition, employees are working everyday for two weeks without having a single day off, and management is worried that workers will begin to call out of work. Workers are demanding more manageable working hours and vacation time and are prepared to take strike action if the two parties do not reach a tentative contract. Workers voted in favor of strike authorization in September.
See "Sappi Paper Mill workers express concerns regarding long hours and no vacation time, consider strike action", Nicole Ogrysko, Maine Public, October 14, 2024