![Tuesday Deadline Looms in Verso Paper Layoffs](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/10/Verso-Paper1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Tuesday Deadline Looms in Verso Paper Layoffs
SARTELL (AP) - Some employees at Verso Paper have until Tuesday to decide whether to accept a retirement package or be laid off by the end of the year.
Verso Paper said last month it planned to lay off 300 employees and permanently shut down three of its paper machines at mills in Maine and Minnesota. The company cited soft demand for coated papers and rising materials costs. One-hundred-75 employees will lose their jobs at the Sartell mill.
Union leaders say that once those eligible for the retirement package make a decision, they'll know what members will be affected by the layoffs.
Of the 175 employees, 146 are hourly workers represented by the United Steelworkers Union and 29 are salaried employees.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
More From AM 1240 WJON
![Company Seeks Permit to Demolish Sartell Paper Mill](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/10/Verso-Paper1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Memorial Day Event Planned for Former Verso Workers [AUDIO]](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/10/Verso-Paper1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Sale of the Verso Paper Mill Site Finalized [AUDIO]](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2012/08/Verso-Paper.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Sartell Receives Reimbursement Check from Verso](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2012/05/Verso-Paper-Mill.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Verso Paper to be Honored in Sunday Service [AUDIO]](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2012/05/verso6.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Verso Plant Closure Compounds Troubles for Loggers](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/07/logging.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Report Says Overheated Compressor Caused Verso Explosion](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2012/05/Verso-Paper-Mill.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Verso Paper Reports Nearly $21 Million 2nd Quarter Loss](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/10/Verso-Paper1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Local Leaders Will Look to Find a Buyer for Verso Site [AUDIO]](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2012/08/Verso-Paper.jpg?w=980&q=75)