Acco workers back to full pay

OGDENSBURG — All U.S. employees for Acco Brands Inc., an office supplies manufacturer that has struggled to keep up in the tough economy, had their full salaries restored Monday.

That was welcome news for the roughly 30 employees at the Ogdensburg facilities who had their pay reduced by almost 50 percent in February.

"It's still a very difficult year, but we have reached a point where we can take this step and we're pleased that we can," company spokesman Richard Nelson said. "The contributions that our employees made helped us have a first quarter that allowed us to meet our obligations to our banks, and we believe now is the right time to restore full pay."

Although the decision to reduce payments was based on falling sales, Mr. Nelson did not comment on whether sales are increasing.

Starting Feb. 23, 11 salaried workers at the distribution center, 12 salaried employees at the manufacturing plant and about five human resource and finance department positions had their pay cut by 47 percent for six weeks. Pay was raised to 80 percent April 1, Mr. Nelson said.

Although pay restorations will not be retroactive, Mr. Nelson said the company is looking at ways to restore retirement benefits that were cut and to reimburse payments for furloughs taken by all employees in November.

"We're looking to restore pay and benefits, not to further cut if we can," he said. "We'll be looking at our performance in the second half of the year to determine if that will be possible."