Ox Specialty Paper is a North Country union paper mill located in Carthage, NY (Jefferson County) whose workers are represented by the United Steelworkers Local 4-0276. The company produces paper that is used for food packaging and pharmaceuticals. Last year the company reported that multiple retirements within the electrical maintenance department had led to the need to hire new electricians, many of whom lacked experience. WDI worked with Ox Specialty Paper to provide employees with industrial electrical maintenance training. Company management recently reported back on the outcomes of that training, and also provided a COVID-19 update.
Since the completion of the training course last year, various successful outcomes have been evident. Employees developed the skills necessary to conduct repairs quickly and efficiently. These skills also helped to improve the safety aspect of the job. The investment in workforce training also improved employee morale as well as interest in the electrical maintenance positions.
Fast forward to today, during the COVID-19 crisis, and the company now reports that employee skills and morale have become even more important. Ox Specialty Paper has been deemed as an essential business and in fact orders and employment have remained steady, with no layoffs. None of the 73 workers employed by the company have become ill from the virus. The plant manager credits the safety programs that they have put in place, including diligent cleaning protocols, personal protective equipment, keyboard and touch screen cleaning and, of course, social distancing in the plant, break rooms, and locker rooms. The company has taken steps to minimize physical contact by requiring non-production employees to work from home, cutting back on plant projects that would require more than one maintenance person, and restricting company travel.
With a record number of unemployed in New York and several regions of upstate continuing to report increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases, this company is a good news story. No loss of business, no layoffs, and no illness.
