Hundreds of temporarily laid off Appleton Coated employees could learn their fate Monday.
A hearing on the company's future continued in Outagamie County court Monday, and employees told NBC26 they're feeling optimistic because it seems the judge is trying to keep people's jobs.
As of now, the company is in receivership. County Executive Tom Nelson is worried the higher bidder, which is a liquidation firm offering $21 million, will cut all the jobs.
Now another bidder is making an offer, which is $18 million, but the judge said it will have to match the original bid.
Employees want the second bidder because they believe it will keep most of Appleton Coated's jobs.
Some Appleton Coated workers are even more frustrated because they said they've been through this before.
"I went through it with NewPage in Kimberly 8 years ago and I lost my job," said Mike Vandevoort, an Appleton Coated employee. "It took me several years and schooling to find this job. It's a shame we are going through this again.
The judge said it's not fair to keep dragging this out and will come to a decision Monday.
More than 600 employees were temporarily laid off last week. The company filed for receivership in August to sell company assets or find a buyer. It was auctioned last Tuesday, but the sale is pending.
