MILLINOCKET -- Union officials are voicing concern at what they say is the failure of the owner of Katahdin Paper Co. to commit to a restart date for its Millinocket mill.

Duane Ludgon of United Steelworkers International says the uncertainty will likely force more workers than necessary to leave the area.

Brookfield Asset Management, which owns the mill, says high oil prices forced the indefinite shutdown, but it hopes to resume production next year if it can reach agreement with a third party to install a biomass boiler.

Katahdin's sister mill in East Millinocket remains in operation.

Eighteen workers were to have been laid off by last weekend, but more than 200 stand to lose their jobs once the shutdown is completed.