Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 21, 1991 TAG: 9103210229
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE/ NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Short
The plant has finished an order for single-based propellant for canons, she said, and "no new production orders have been realized."
After the layoffs, the arsenal will employ a total of 3,889 people.
Hercules Inc., which runs the ammunitions plant for the government, might lay off additional workers if a TNT production order falls through, Kinser said.
"We're waiting to hear word from AMCCOM," or the Armaments, Munitions and Chemical Command in Rock Island, Ill., headquarters for the Radfordarsenal.
"Really, I don't know. I can't speculate as to the future regarding layoffs," she said.
About 130 jobs had been slated for elimination in February, but were saved when the Army put in an order for TNT to replenish supplies for Operation Desert Storm.
Production was supposed to start April 1, but has now been delayed to April 15, Kinser said.
But with the quick end to the Persian Gulf War, the Army may not need any more TNT, she said. She expected to hear from military higher-ups within a week.
"That number [130 jobs] could change," Kinser said, because employment levels are tied to orders and workers often are reassigned to different production lines.
Hercules laid off 70 workers last year when a plan to reduce its work force through attrition by 300 people didn't move quickly enough. The plant at that time had about 4,250 workers.
by CNB