Nippon Dynawave Mill to Keep Paying Workers Through Jan. 17, 2027, Union Says

The Nippon Dynawave papermill in Longview will continue employing and paying workers through at least Jan. 17, 2027, under an agreement reached with the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers, the union said Thursday.

The agreement calls for most employees to return to work this fall, while workers covered by certain exceptions will continue receiving pay through Jan. 17. The mill has not yet resumed full production, according to the union.

The development follows the May 26 implosion of a tank at the mill that released a deadly chemical and killed 11 workers. In July, the mill announced that employees would continue receiving their regular wages through Oct. 11 while the company addressed the aftermath.

“Our position was clear: protect these jobs, keep our members’ incomes intact, and give their families answers they can count on,” AWPPW President Scott Tift said in the union’s release. Tift said the agreement would avoid layoffs and maintain the workforce through the holidays and into the new year.

The union said maintaining the experienced workforce is important as the mill works toward a safe recovery.

“Keeping experienced people at this mill is critical to a safe recovery,” area representative Bill Sauters said. He added that workers’ familiarity with the mill’s systems and operations would help identify hazards and prepare for future operations.

The union said it will continue working with the mill to evaluate worker safety and determine whether the facility is ready to return to full operation before Jan. 17, 2027.