GORHAM, N.H. (AP) -- A union representing Fraser Papers employees has overwhelming approved a two-year labor contract extension.
The contract was approved last week by a vote of 171-13.
Spanky Lozier, president of USW Local 75, said now that the contract issue is out of the way, workers hope that Fraser and the state will be able to put together the financing to allow the plant to buy two biomass boilers.
The company is in the process of laying off 80 employees as high energy costs have forced it to close one paper machine. It is exploring replacing oil-fired boilers with two biomass boilers.
Company officials say they expect to make a decision on purchasing the biomass boilers by the end of the month.
