u/tiredtiretech1

Location: Alabama, USA

I was fired recently, and though contested via the union (USW) International Paper found me to be in violation of company policy. I (on my own time, full 24 hours off of work) stopped by the mill superficially on my way past it on unrelated travel. I simply left a letter requesting to be transferred to another sister mill possibly even out of state but willing to accept anywhere. Signed and dated it, and left with security without swiping my entry badge even being necessary to step into the public lobby and never crossed the gate, security boundaries, or attempted to do such. Hours later I caught myself in a domestic dispute over lies from my ex wife (technically still married and share full custody of my two minor sons at the time and month or two afterwards. Separated unofficially, and both living apart with our parents a town apart though.) Well I was supposed to see my boys and rightfully, agreed upon beforehand. Well arguments began over my kids being exposed strange men without my knowledge and even though it was a policy originating from my wife and her being jealous and controlling... I was apparently the only one restricted from introducing grown unrelated people (gf's, friends, cousins they hadn't met yet, ect) to my kids as I saw my 4 year old son in the back of a truck driven by the man she had just met. Well I pulled along the ditch 10-15 yards from the driveway and parked my truck and called her. She exploded being caught in a lie, and they nearly flipped in the highway turning "U", then accelerated violently and whipped into the drive way I had parked near (her mom and Dad's house was up the hill and fenced off with automatic gate entry only) Less than 15 minutes of waiting with intermediate states of being called via the house phone and her cell in which I'm berated and ridiculed for unrelated things and then she says get ready I called the cops... I'm still confused and bewildered and "BOOM" Obvious gunshot rings out, so I call the local station myself and they have an officer on the way so I hang up and instinctively feel for my handgun and instead of brandishing or even chambering a round into the chamber I make sure it's clear. Not wanting to get anyone hurt or make things worse I figure best bet, lock my weapon into my middle console of my truck, exit the truck and lock it (it wasn't running the whole time) and await the officer for assistance. Well he showed and apparently made many assumptions before arriving, because he immediately leaps out his vehicle aggressively telling me to empty my pockets and give him the gun!! I comply within reason asserting I'm unarmed and haven't fired anything but will allow my person to be searched and frisked but not my rights violated so my locked vehicle would require a warrant or something more than his insistence. Another officer shows onto scene and placed me under arrest cuffs me, emptied my pockets into my truck bed (I wouldn't get my license back at all and would be free from jail 5 days before granted the privileges of my phone, backup cell, and wallet containing all my cards and financial items used daily) Then the 2nd screamed where's the gun, to which I said to have a lawyer would be my first answer and the 2nd would come after that. Attempts to enter my vehicle, but seeing it's not unlocked, he forcefully removed my key (on a lanyard around my neck entire time) and said well it's not anymore, followed by the quick unlocking of my center console and further confascation of my .25 caliber handgun with verbal affirmation that I was a criminal and going to jail. I did, was held 5 days... yada yada yada. Well after making bond and being outside of jail less than 1 hour, I'm called (on my mother's cell weirdly as mine was in evidence at the Pine Hill PD for another 5 days) and informed I was suspended pending an investigation and not to return to work. 3 months without any word to finally make contact with the mill through persistent HR contact via phone being told I'd hear when they decided the investigation was done. Well they said my father in law (who is completely irrelevant from the situation besides being the house my kids were forced to reside in temporarily) who was not at the property during or following the event was AT THE MILL DOING HIS REGULAR 12 HOUR SHIFT THATS OPPOSITE MY SHIFT!! He was obviously being harassed by me and my stop at the mill to drop off a letter for transfer was proof somehow that it was the sole instigator in my decisions. I didn't see him and actually hadn't spoken to him in months and had no desire to nor him to I. I was his son in law at best, now estranged from his daughter... We dont speak or want too. EVER. Well l was terminated and even after the union supported me the company upheld my termination and reasoning as they originally stated they perceived it. Also despite 100's of cameras and strict entry through swiping of ID cards ONLY, that I had crossed the gate into mill property off the clock and engaged with the man in question. Despite both me being visible for the short (maybe 5-8 mins) duration I was there And then still visible on them as I left the building into the parking lot, into my vehicle, and clearly within 10+ cameras range as I exited the lot and drove away. I'm told they aren't allowed to look so they can't use them either way.. all 100's despite me being a member of the general public at the time, and refusing to even give a timeframe I supposedly did this. Despite it being mid afternoon 1-3 p.m when I was there, our shifts universally starting at 5 for all 4 shifts (A,B,C and D shifts) and it being a documented violation for attempting to clock in or enter work areas before 4:53 approximately 7 minutes prior and employees actively being disciplined for attempting to come earlier for valid reasons or just to get a head start arriving. I'm utterly flabbergasted and had to explain my marriage and it's end with my custody and infidelity problems as the panel of hr and management (over the phone no less to at least 5 strangers and 3 people I knew irl through work and being ridiculed for it) after it was over and 15 more days of silence (phone meeting was 06/15/26 and was suspended March 21st this year without payment or benefits and terminated back in April on 19th of this year) despite a promise of resolution after maximum 10 days I just today (06/29/2026) was informed via text from my union representative that it was official and upheld. How can I be terminated on essentially my one day off, for trying to visit my kids?? Am I missing something or is this a legitimate thing? Proof and confirmation of supposed harassment claims and termination all available, email from the GM of entire plant states plainly the reasoning, but the reason is truly I'm a recently out gay man in rural Alabama and my wife's family holds several key positions (her dad A operator in pulp departmen, uncle billy was union president now ERT and fire chief, her uncle Keith and his wife are top in paper machine department, 1st cousin is literally above me in my department (power) and even same shift, and not to mention since split she's apparently dating multiple such as the current union rep for my department is actively sexting her, which she even showed me) now I'm destitute and have no way of paying my child support, 401k I had is the only way I got it paid the overdue 2741.98. and only just today... I have her false charges of endangerment to argue against in criminal court, plus the guy she's seeing somehow signed a warrant for endangerment as well (2 charges somehow) so those I have to contest in smaller city court, but they aren't legally obliged to appoint me a lawyer for some weird reasons of misdemeanor charges don't get appointed lawyers anymore unless the punishment is certain jail time if guilty. Not sure how that works but I can't afford my own outside lawyer since I haven't been paid since I was suspended in March. Is this even legal to be terminated this way? I'm so screwed and miss my kids. But just want my job or a valid reason I shouldn't be employed... Anyone read this far? What do you think if so, and can I do ANYTHING? 🥺