Fayette (PA) glass plant suddenly closed

<http://www.postgazette.com/pg/04310/407343.stm>

The nation's third-largest bottle maker closed its Fayette County plant suddenly last night, leaving approximately 300 employees stunned.

<snip>

"This was a very difficult decision, particularly considering the dedication, talent and hard work of the South Connellsville employees," said Darrin Campbell, chief executive officer. "However, our recently completed analysis of Anchor Glass' existing capacity given the current industry environment indicated that this plant's economics could not be improved."

Employees at the plant will receive a continuation of benefits, company officials said.

Many employees at the facility are over the age of 50. Standing outside the gate of their former work place, they expressed concern about what they would do now, with the region already economically depressed.

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Is it my imagination, or did *co tell all its corporate members to hold off on announcing layoffs and plant closings until November 4, 2004?

after the election.

These guys have no soul.

This really seems so fishy.

21st Century marketing.

And all the demoralized Americans can rally around their president, whom I hope to God by then will be John Kerry if all the votes are counted

*fingers crossed, praying fervently*

Planned job cuts topped 100,000 for the second straight month in
October, outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. said
Tuesday in a report that raises more questions about the future of
U.S. jobs.

http://snipurl.com/af9p

This is kind of odd. They didn't give these poor souls any warning at all?
This is the kind of factory that communities like that one have depended on since the industrial revolution. I don't know it is good or bad, but it has worked for over a hundred years. The problem is that nobody has come up with an alternative "21st century" alternative solution to replace these decent reasonably well paying manufacturing jobs.

two options. they either give 90 days notice, or pay the workers the equivalent of 90 days wages. The latter is the way they went.

Connellsville is pretty economically depressed already.

The main source of cash coming into that community would probably be Social Security checks, Medicare payments supporting the local "Healthcare Industry", and state money for the school systems.

...as the owner of 84 lumber, Joe hardy, is one of the County Commissioners. He, as you may know, is a billionaire several times over, and doesn't mind spending money.

He owns Nemacolin Woodlands resort here, which has capital expenses in the millions per year, and he has spent a LOT of his own money on cleaning up downtown Uniontown and on signs that welcome people at he county lines. He is a one man Santa, and then some.

When slots casinos start up in a year or so, he will have one, as well. The legislature wrote a provision into the bill that says that up to three resort hotels in the state, with a certain number of contiguous rooms, fit a couple other criteria and pay a $5 million dollar fee, can have a casino license. I find it interesting that here are ONLY three resort hotels in the state that fit this specific set of criteria. Hmmm.

That being said, he can't hire everyone, but he does seem to be trying.

Fayette County voted for Kerry, 53-46%.

:cry:

Lot of Repub noise coming out of there and adjacent Washington Co. PA. Would have been a strong Dem. area based on union turnout 30 years ago - expected it to be overrun by the "values" crowd this year. I guess they are feeling the hurt there these days. :-(

your "Give a Fuck" list:) Tee hee. Can I borrow it?

I feel sorry for those who lost their jobs and voted for Kerry. The rest of them can kiss Bush/Cheney's ass. Oh that's right - they already did by voting for him.

and they got whacked.

Hopefully, this will mobilize PA to boot Sanitorium's sorry ass out to the street.

And these folks can be greeters and stockers. Seriously, this is the millipede's first shoe.

in 1773, first generation and great whatever grandfater promptly joined the revolutionaries, I came by this honestly. I'm sorry to hear it especially after voting for change.

My relatives live there and all vote Bush.

Nemocolin Lodge is a place that Cheney visits often and hunts from....by the way