Weyco Welcomes Former Willamette Employees

Former Willamette Industries employees now working for Weyerhaeuser Co. were feted with a "Welcome Week" in March as the newly joined companies tried to improve relationships frayed during the contentious takeover bid.

After a l4-month struggle that ended in January when Willamette agreed to be bought by Weyerhaeuser for $6.2 billion, c.e.o. Steven Rogel decided a series of welcoming events were in order.

Former Willamette workers arrived at work to find warm smiles, commemorative gifts and a three-minute welcome video featuring Rogel.

Weyerhaeuser sent managers to 106 facilities where they passed out small flashlights to staff "because it takes two batteries to oPerate," according to Richard Hanson, who heads the transition team.

Managers also held question-andanswer sessions with employees at all company facilities.

Hanson noted that this was the first time many former Willamette workers had "met a Weyerhaeuser person."

Some industry observers claim that the most pressing concern for Willamette workers at the moment is not friendliness, but job security.

Weyerhaeuser has not said how many of its current 63,000 workers will have to be cut to reach its goal of $300 million in annual cost savings.

It is projected that there will be overlap at many regional offices and at each company headquarters. Some layoffs are also expected at lumber mills and plywood plants.

Many experts say that the rePuted bad blood between the comPanies is something that exists onlY in the senior management ranks.

It has been reported that manY former Willamette workers are hopeful that Rogel, who sPent 25 Years at Willamette, will be sensitive to the unique business culture that existed at the Portland, Or.-based company.

Richard Hanson has tried to reassure his workers by saying, "We want to capture the best of both companies and make sure that we don't just create a larger Weyerhaeuser."

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NW Firm Wants Buffer Land

Freres Lumber Co., Lyons, Or., is facing citizen opposition to its request that Marion CountY, Or., "vacate" five acres of river front land to the company.

The firm wants the proPertY on the Santiam River near Mehama, Or., for a buffer zone to protect adjacent trees from vandalism or fire. State requirements require Freres keep some of its timber intact.

The company has no intentions to harvest the five acres.

Local residents expressed opposition at a county public hearing March 13, citing concerns that theY won't have access to the river for recreational activities nor a chance of developing the land as a park.

"We have no Plans to stop residents from using the land," said Freres v.p. Rob Freres Jr.

Marion County commissioners are expected to make a decision on the proposal in May.

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