Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 16, 1994 TAG: 9411160116
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STEPHEN FOSTER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FAIRLAWN LENGTH: Medium
Hercules Inc., a Wilmington, Del.-based chemicals company operating the arsenal for the Army, said it had recalled most of the affected workers last winter to complete a yearlong contract making stick cannon propellant.
They knew their status was temporary when they were recalled, and Ken Thompson, president of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Local 3-495, said it was unfortunate that no additional contracts came to Hercules that would have allowed them to continue working.
"We were hoping that we might get something to keep them on," Thompson said Tuesday. "There's just not any work for them after the work is done."
He sounded hopeful that Alliant Techsystems' purchase of Hercules' aerospace unit, including the arsenal operation, would bring added contracts and employment to the arsenal.
Hopkins, Minn.-based Alliant and Hercules signed a definitive agreement earlier this month, subject to Alliant's shareholders' approval, for the purchase. Alliant officials have said the Radford plant - one of eight affected in the transaction - is one of the gems of the deal.
"Hopefully, we'll be able to get these people back to work," Thompson said.
But Charles Lee, director of human resources, would not speculate on future job opportunities at the arsenal.
Employment at the arsenal, already as low as it has been in more than 40 years, will be 1,405 once the layoffs are complete, Lee said.
The workers, who began receiving notices early Tuesday, will be idled in two phases, with 140 let go by Nov. 23, and the remaining 91 by Dec. 23.
by CNB