8-K

                       Securities and Exchange Commission
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):        December 23, 2002
                                                 -------------------------------

                            P. H. GLATFELTER COMPANY
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


       Pennsylvania                       1-3560                 23-0628360
(State or Other                      (Commission File        (IRS Employer
Jurisdiction of Incorporation)       Number)                 Identification No.)


         96 South George Street, Suite 500; York, PA                 17401
                 (Address of Principal                             (Zip Code)
                  Executive Offices)


                                 (717) 225-4711
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

                                 Not Applicable
          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS

      On December 20, 2002, the Company announced plans to implement cost
reduction initiatives in its operations. In conjunction with these initiatives,
the Company has targeted a workforce reduction of 76 positions. In January 2003,
40 employees at its U.S. operations will be directly impacted. The remaining 36
positions are expected to be absorbed by attrition and not filling already
vacant positions.

Costs associated with this workforce reduction are expected to be approximately
$4.0 million, which will be recorded in the fourth quarter of 2002. These
actions are expected to reduce 2003 operating costs by approximately $2.7
million and ongoing operating costs by approximately $3.6 million on an
annualized basis.

A copy of the Company's press release dated December 23, 2002 related to this
matter is filed as Exhibit 99.1.

ITEM 7. EXHIBITS

99.1 - Press release dated December 23, 2002

                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Registrant
has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
hereunto duly authorized.

                                  P. H. GLATFELTER COMPANY
                                         (Registrant)


                                  By:   /s/ C. Matthew Smith
                                        --------------------
                                  Title: Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

EX-99.1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1

                      PRESS RELEASE DATED DECEMBER 23, 2002

        GLATFELTER ANNOUNCES IMPLEMENTATION OF COST REDUCTION INITIATIVES

York, Pa. (December 23, 2002) - Glatfelter has announced plans to implement cost
reduction initiatives in its operations. Key action items of this operational
plan include streamlining costs, realigning the organizational structure, and
focusing on the cash flow of the operations. In conjunction with these cost
reduction initiatives, there will be a 3% reduction in its workforce, including
positions that were or will be eliminated by not filling vacant positions.

"Continued weakness in the US economy, depressed pricing for our products and
poor market conditions demand that we reassess our cost structure," said George
H. Glatfelter II, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We have adjusted
spending levels across the board, but unfortunately, we cannot ignore the
necessity of a reduction in force."

The Company has targeted a workforce reduction of 76 positions. In January 2003,
40 employees at its U.S. operations will be directly impacted. The remaining 36
positions are expected to be absorbed by attrition and not filling already
vacant positions.

Costs associated with this workforce reduction are expected to be approximately
$4.0 million, which will be recorded in the fourth quarter of 2002. These
actions are expected to reduce 2003 operating costs by approximately $2.7
million and ongoing operating costs by approximately $3.6 million on an
annualized basis.

Headquartered in York, Pennsylvania, Glatfelter is a global manufacturer of
specialty papers and engineered products. U.S. operations include facilities in
Spring Grove, PA and Neenah, WI. International operations include facilities in
Germany, France and the Philippines.

Any statements set forth in this press release with regard to the Company's
expectations as to industry conditions, demand for or pricing of its products,
the extent of its costs and cost reduction initiatives, its projected financial
results or cash flow, and other aspects of its business may constitute
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although the Company makes such statements

based on assumptions that it believes to be reasonable, there can be no
assurance that actual results will not differ materially from the Company's
expectations. Factors that could cause or contribute to actual results differing
materially from such forward-looking statements are discussed in the Company's
Securities and Exchange Commission filings.