FOX CROSSING, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A union which represents workers at a Kimberly-Clark plant slated for closure is calling on the state Senate to vote on a tax subsidy package designed to keep the plants running.
Earlier this year, the consumer products company announced plans to close 10 plants worldwide and eliminate 5,500 jobs.
That includes facilities in Neenah and Fox Crossing and would result in about 600 local jobs being eliminated.
In response, legislators developed a package of tax incentives similar to what was used to lure Foxconn to build a plant in Racine County.
The Assembly passed it, 56-37.
However, without any commitment from Kimberly-Clark that passing the legislation would result in the jobs being saved, the Senate tabled the bill.
Now, local 2-482 President Dave Breckheimer, who is also a Kimberly-Clark worker, tells FOX 11 the union is calling for the Senate to act.
“We believe that there is a clear path to change the cost profile of the plants in a way that ensures that the high-quality workforce remains in place. It is unfair for the state Senate to continue to delay this subsidy package.”
“What is happening in the Senate is an indictment on what is wrong with politics in America,” said Michael Bolton, director of USW District 2.
“The GOP-controlled Senate is refusing to conduct a vote until the company approves the package and after they have used their Republican allies to help extract concessions from workers.
“The company’s behavior since the announcement is disturbing,” said Local 2-482 member Karmen Jones.
“Even as company officials are calling the plant a ‘flagship’ facility, they are asking workers to make concessions that would cut their average labor costs by more than $20,000 per person.”
“We brought forth this bill to do what we can,” said Senator Roger Roth.
“The union and KC are going to go through their negotiations, but when they’re done, we want them to know that the state stands here ready to step in with an incentive package to fight and protect those 600 jobs.”
FOX 11 contacted Kimberly-Clark last week about the union’s claims it was seeking those cost reductions, and to see if the company would commit to keeping the plants open if the legislation passed, the company provided this statement:
At this time, Kimberly-Clark is actively bargaining with union leadership at the Neenah Cold Springs facility, and we are committed to following this important process. We will not comment on any information until final decisions are made by the company after appropriate consultation with the union.”
Mayor Dean Kaufert of Neenah said while the company and union are in negotiations, he’ll remain optimistic.
“At the end of the day, I’m keeping my hopes up and fingers crossed that they’re going to find a solution that’s going to benefit the company and workforce.”
For the state senate to vote on the package, they would have to be called back to Madison for what’s called an “extraordinary session”.
