IAM members working at Alcoa plants
in Ferndale and Wenatchee are fighting for their futures. Currently,
the Bonne-ville Power Administration (BPA) is in the process of
determining power allocation for 2006 and into the future. One
proposal BPA is considering would take the affordable power away
from the aluminum industry and force the aluminum company to buy
power on the volatile spot market. Such a decision would eliminate
up to 1200 high-wage jobs currently held by IAM members.
The Union has been working with Alcoa to garner support for Alcoa's
proposal for power equity from the BPA. It is a fair and reasonable
plan that will bring a stable supply of power to the grid and
provide all BPA customers, including the aluminum industry, with
reliable long-term rates. Machinists Union members who work at
Alcoa, along with 751 Political Director Linda Lanham, met with
Governor Gary Locke and other officials to garner support and
save these important jobs.
IAM Member Darren Krag provided a heart-wrenching plea for keeping
the plants open. Darren told the Governor, "You and I have
a lot in common. All I want to do is provide for my wife and four
kids. I have been with Alcoa for 15 years. I started out as a
logger and that industry disappeared. I went to work in the fishing
industry and it went away. Then I came to Alcoa. If something
isn't done, this job will go away. Then what will I do? What can
I tell my family?"
These aluminum facilities provide family-wage jobs and financial
stability to their communities. The energy crisis of last year
had a devastating effect upon the aluminum industry because their
production processes force them to be some of the largest consumers
of electrical power. Despite the fact that nearly a dozen new
power plants have been constructed in California alone, the energy
companies are still holding the aluminum industry hostage.
Without its fair share of affordable power, Alcoa will be forced
again to shut down its plants and our members in these facilities
will lose their jobs. Join us in urging BPA officials and members
of the Northwest Power Planning Council (addresses available at
www.iam751.org/alcoa.html) to accept Alcoa's proposal and continue
to supply power to these plants. BPA letters should be addressed
to: Steven Wright, Administrator, Bonneville Power Administration,
P.O. Box 3621, Portland, OR 97208-3621. For sample letters, check
the Union website at www.iam751.org.
The domestic aluminum industry is a strategic and important part
of our national defense system. Forcing the industry out of business
will only increase our nation's dependence on foreign-made aluminum
and send those jobs overseas. Dependency on foreign producers
makes all Americans less secure. This is just the latest attack
on U.S. citizens by the corporate thieves in the energy industry.
Enron and the rest of them are still hurting U.S. workers.
If we work together, there can be enough power at reasonable rates
for residential, commercial and industrial customers. Alcoa wants
to help solve the long-term power needs of the region and retain
its rightful role as a BPA customer.
Below are addresses, as well as sample letters, to send on behalf of Alcoa and its workers:
Bonneville Power
Administration:
Steven Wright, Administrator
Bonneville Power Administration
P.O. Box 3621
Portland, OR 97208-3621
Phone: (503) 230-3000
| Frank "Larry"
Cassidy, Jr., Chair NW Power Planning Council P. O. Box 2187 Vancouver, WA 98668 Phone: (360) 693-6951 Fax: (360) 699-4093 |
Judi Danielson,
Vice-Chair NW Power Planning Council 450 West State P. O. Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0062 Phone: (208) 334-6970 Fax: (208) 334-2112 |
Ed Bartlett NW Power Planning Council Capitol Station 1301 Lockey Helena, MT 59620-0805 Phone: (406) 444-3952 |
| Eric Bloch NW Power Planning Council 851 S. W. Sixth Ave., Suite 1020 Portland, OR 97204-1348 Phone: (503) 229-5171 Fax: (503) 229-5173 |
Tom Karier NW Power Planning Council W. 705 First Ave., MS-1 Spokane, WA 9920 Phone: (509) 623-4386 Fax: (509) 623-4380 |
Jim Kempton NW Power Planning Council 450 West State P. O. Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0062 Phone: (208) 334-6970 Fax: (208) 334-2112 |
| John Hines NW Power Planning Council Capitol Station 1301 Lockey Helena, MT 59620-0805 Phone: (406) 444-3952 |
SAMPLE LETTERS TO OFFICIALS
Dear (Northwest Power Planning Council member)
The long-term future of the Northwest economy is in your hands. You must accept proposals to offer contracts after 2006 to the aluminum industry. The jobs of thousands of workers depend on your support. Aluminum has been as asset to this State for decades and now, on the turn of a dime, people are ready to cut us off at the knees. Surely you must understand that these industry jobs are important. These jobs support families, communities and our State's economy. Our economy is slowing down, and we should do everything we can to avoid eliminating more industry, especially those that operate in rural areas. Please support long-term contracts for the aluminum industry in our State. Please preserve aluminum and working wage jobs in the Northwest.
Sincerely,
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Dear (Bonneville Power Administration)
Proposals by the aluminum industry for long-term BPA contracts must be accepted! For more than 60 years, BPA and the industry have been partners in this State. Bringing infrastructure and low rate power for everyone. To consider giving the industry even less in the future is downright wrong. Our economy has suffered enough. Throwing away good, family-wage jobs by cutting the industry off will destroy the economy of rural communities through Washington. Please take action to save the industries that remain in this State. These jobs are very important. Please make sure affordable power is available to industry. The future of many people rests in your hands.
Sincerely,