HOPEFUL FOR A RESOLUTION Century Aluminum Retirees Hopeful For Negotiation On Dropped Health Care Benefits
Reported by: Kristin Keeling
Web Producer: Kristin Keeling
Reported: Feb. 26, 2012 6:14 PM EST
Updated: Feb. 27, 2012 12:36 PM EST
EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO C L I C K T O P L A Y
Ravenswood
, Jackson County
, West Virginia
Century Aluminum was forced to shut its doors in 2009. First leaving 650 people without jobs, then a year later, leaving retirees without their promised benefits.
Retirees have been fighting for some type of health care package since they were shocked with the news that Century Aluminum would cut their health benefits. The reason is to reduce costs with the hope of eventually reopening the plant.
John Morris worked for Century Aluminum for 38 years. He's been devastated by the news, but is now motivated to see something change.
"It's very frustrating to watch this company operate other plants, pay their retirees their healthcare that they were promised and in this case, shut this place down. And just destroy these peoples' lives," explained Morris.
Sunday, meetings continued to try and reach an agreement. The retirees are hopeful the meeting is a step toward getting what they were promised.
"We're praying for the greatest victory and a real success story for everyone," said Karen Gorrell from Ravenswood.
If the plant reopens, it could bring in more than 400 jobs. It's a good boost for Ravenswood and the surrounding areas that the retirees support. But they're just hopeful they get back what they say was taken from them.
No word yet if the retirees and Century Aluminum representatives came to any type of agreement.
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Kristin Keeling
