• Home
  • News
    • UP 200
    • Local
    • Lansing Bureau
    • Washington D.C. Bureau
    • National
    • Insights
    • Watch 19 News Live
    • CBS News Live
    • Report News
  • Weather
    • Forecast + Conditions
    • Current Alerts
    • Interactive Radar
    • Cameras
    • Share Photos/Videos
    • Closings and Delays
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Life in the 906
    • The Yooper Goddess
WZMQ 19 News | CBS | MeTV Marquette
Haze

Marquette
Haze 70°

Clear

Escanaba
Clear 69°

Mostly Cloudy

Houghton
Mostly Cloudy 70°

Clear

Iron Mountain
Clear 73°

Watch
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • UP 200
    • Local
    • Lansing Bureau
    • Washington D.C. Bureau
    • National
    • Insights
    • Watch 19 News Live
    • CBS News Live
    • Report News
  • Weather
    • Forecast + Conditions
    • Current Alerts
    • Interactive Radar
    • Cameras
    • Share Photos/Videos
    • Closings and Delays
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Life in the 906
    • The Yooper Goddess
WZMQ 19 News | CBS | MeTV Marquette
No Result
View All Result
WZMQ 19 News | CBS | MeTV Marquette
No Result
View All Result

1 Weather Alert

View Details »

Billerud paper mill lays off 280 employees for duration of two-week idle

by Lily Simmons
October 3, 2023
A A

ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Nearly 300 Billerud paper mill employees in Escanaba are out of work for the next two weeks while the mill undergoes maintenance.

According to a statement from Billerud, a “planned annual maintenance outage” is taking place the first week of October. The mill is being idled during this time due to “customer inventory stocking” and “low demand for paper.”

According to Gerald Kell, president of USW Local 21, this year’s outage is being done a bit differently than in years past.

“This year, due to market conditions, they’re going to curb productions on all three machines,” Kell said. “Typically they would run at a diminished capacity, but they would operate at some level. This year, they are not.”

Billerud is also taking the following week to “balance…production with customer needs.” Approximately 280 of the Escanaba mill’s roughly 830 employees have been laid off for the two-week period.

Kell says while union members who have been laid off are eligible to receive unemployment benefits during that time, there is a one-week waiting period.

“Michigan’s unemployment benefits are antiquated and behind many states so it’s not much and they don’t get paid for that week, but they do qualify for the benefits,” he said.

Billerd says it is discussing ways to “minimize the impact to the fullest extent possible” with its unions and workers.

Get WZMQ 19 anytime, anywhere

Download the app

AppleAndroid

Watch on TV

RokuFire TVZeam

Connect on social media

FacebookTwitterInstagram

More

The Copper Country Strawberry Festival began Friday in Chassell. Remember that strawberry supplies are limited due to their popularity.
News

Why Chassell Strawberries are so popular.

July 11, 2025
News

Democrats Slam Federal Budget Bill, Launch Messaging Blitz Ahead of 2026 Midterms

July 11, 2025
'Mountain Men' star Paul Antczak
News

U.P. Trappers Convention continues Saturday with demos, vendors, and more

July 11, 2025
News

Escanaba City Council nominating petitions due July 22

July 11, 2025
News

Fancy-free’s grand opening is this Saturday

July 11, 2025
News

City of Marquette discusses Strategic Plan for 2026-28 Fiscal Years

July 11, 2025
Next Post

Gladstone Area Pickleball exceeds "Courts of Dreams" crowdfunding goal for new courts

Year round golf coming to Marquette

  • Home
  • News
  • Weather
  • Sports
  • Features
  • Events
  • Programming
  • Station
WZMQ CBS | 19 News

© 2025 WZMQ, LLC | FCC Public File | EEO Report

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • UP 200
    • Local
    • Lansing Bureau
    • Washington D.C. Bureau
    • National
    • Insights
    • Watch 19 News Live
    • CBS News Live
    • Report News
  • Weather
    • Forecast + Conditions
    • Current Alerts
    • Interactive Radar
    • Cameras
    • Share Photos/Videos
    • Closings and Delays
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Life in the 906
    • The Yooper Goddess
  • Events
  • Programming
    • Programming Guide
    • CBS
    • MeTV
    • Start TV
    • Heroes & Icons
    • Court TV
    • ION
  • Station
    • About Us
    • Community Involvement
    • Mobile App
    • Meet the Team
    • Contact
    • Careers
    • Advertising
    • Request Copy of Story
    • FCC Public File
    • EEO Report
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • UP 200
    • Local
    • Lansing Bureau
    • Washington D.C. Bureau
    • National
    • Insights
    • Watch 19 News Live
    • CBS News Live
    • Report News
  • Weather
    • Forecast + Conditions
    • Current Alerts
    • Interactive Radar
    • Cameras
    • Share Photos/Videos
    • Closings and Delays
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Life in the 906
    • The Yooper Goddess
  • Events
  • Programming
    • Programming Guide
    • CBS
    • MeTV
    • Start TV
    • Heroes & Icons
    • Court TV
    • ION
  • Station
    • About Us
    • Community Involvement
    • Mobile App
    • Meet the Team
    • Contact
    • Careers
    • Advertising
    • Request Copy of Story
    • FCC Public File
    • EEO Report
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our privacy policy.