The Stories Project: Oregon Livelihoods Traded Away

Larry Durfee

Larry Durfee

Residence: Roseburg, OR

Occupation: Roseburg Forest Products

Additional Notes: Larry worked at Roseburg Forest Products for 22 years before his plant closed due to increased imports

Snapshots

"All I can do is go to work every day and hope that the job will be there next week. I don't know. There's no good solid ground to stand on. The community is falling down more and more with the wood industry -- and that's what we pivot around, the wood industry itself, and it's falling apart."

"There are a lot of jobs out here at minimum wage. Most people can't afford those jobs. They'll lose everything. You just drive through the area and look at the 'FOR SALE' signs. It's terrible."

"I've worked all my life and will have nothing to show for it. You have no security, no benefits. You're just working from day to day and existing. And hoping that something awful doesn't happen."



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