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Beckleynews.net

Special Metals to Layoff 15 Union Employees at Huntington Plant
For you by Art Harvath, Reluctant Pop Star, Citizen and HNN Correspondent

Special Metals Corporation informed Steelworkers’ Local 40 union president Lonnie Napier that 15 union employees at the Huntington plant will be laid off.

Brett Kennard, president of local 7153 at the Burnaugh, Kentucky plant, said he was told today that 10-12 hourly employees will be cut there. Kennard said this does not include five employees already laid off.

“Everybody’s kind of in a slump,” said Napier. “You accept concessions in your contracts and then they do this.”

Local 7153 union members voted to approve their contract with the Company just this last Tuesday. Both Napier and Kennard said that the unions made concessions to the company because of its financial situation.

Special Metals filed for protection against their creditors last March 27. Many workers, hourly and salaried alike, are angered by the recent news of pay raises and bonuses for company’s top executives, while rank and file workers are asked for concessions.

T. Grant John, president of Special Metals with his office located in Huntington, is making $420,000 this year, up $40,000 from last year. In 2000, John’s salary was $290,000. Last year John received a $246,527 bonus.

Jim Hensler, vice president of global manufacturing and also located in Huntington, received $189,000 in salary last year, up almost $20,000 from the previous year. He received a $70,000 in 2001.

Said Kennard, “morale is extremely poor, especially in light of the bonuses they got while we made concessions”