Members of the Fox Valley Labor Council and employees of Graphic Packaging International (GPI) in Menasha meeting at the Labor Temple after GPI announces they're closing their doors.
They're hoping to pass a resolution Monday night at the common council meeting that would have the city working with GPI to help sell the property quicker.
"There may or may not be a buyer for the Washington Street Plant, but we will never know if Graphic Packaging International refuses to even consider that possibility," said Fox Valley Labor Council president, Mark Westphal.
Former and current employees of GPI gathered in a last ditch effort to preserve their livelihoods.
"Nobody knew that was coming down the pipe like said GCC/IBT union president, Rick Grissom.
Roughly 230 people now out of work after the plant announces they're closing the doors and their reason is simple, money.
"We recently acquired some fairly new state of the art plants," explained Graphic Packaging International spokesperson, Sue Appleyard.
The newer plants have new equipment, so to save money they're closing the Menasha operation, but employees there are hoping GPI will consider keeping the plant in tact to find a new buyer. Part of the deal would also include keeping some equipment at the plant, but GPI says it's not that simple.
"We will be re-purposing any equipment and some of the equipment is really not even salvageable," said Appleyard.
The company says they are marketing the property, but they refuse to sell to a competitor. Employees are hoping the City of Menasha will intervene and make the process happen because of the impact this has on all of Menasha.
"They are abandoning dedicated, faithful, long-term employees while at the same time leaving local communities at an economic disadvantage," said Westphal.
The Menasha Mayor refused to go on camera ahead of Monday night's council meeting, but he said he is open to this resolution and has been working with both the labor council and GPI to find a new buyer for the property.
