Union: Mirant plans to cut staff by half

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100821/BIZ/100829961/-1/NEWS

By Sarah Shemkus
[e-mail]
August 21, 2010

SANDWICH – Half of the workers at the Mirant Canal Generating Plant will be laid off, the union representing plant workers said it was told yesterday by company officials.

David Leonardi, president of Utility Workers Union of America Local 369, said Mirant vice president David Whitman told the union about the decision yesterday. Neither Whitman nor other Mirant officials could be reached late yesterday for comment.

Leonardi said the layoffs have not been made yet, just the announcement that they are coming.

“They didn't give us a specific date, but they indicated they fully intend on having this implemented by the end of the year,” he said.

Leonardi said the union is investigating whether it can prevent the layoffs.
The oil-burning power plant has 87 employees, including management, union workers and contract employees. It was not clear yesterday whether that number would be reduced by 50 percent.

Since early 2009, the plant has been in limbo, serving as backup and put into service when electrical demand requires additional capacity.

The canal plant has been more costly to operate in recent years than power plants that burn natural gas, a Mirant spokeswoman said late last year. Although the plant does have one unit that uses some natural gas, it still requires oil to produce power, she said.

FULL story at link.