Larsen Statement on Layoffs at the Ferndale Intalco Smelter
For Immediate Release
Contact: Amanda Mahnke
(202) 225-2605
November 10, 2008
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement today:
“The loss of 121 jobs at the Intalco aluminum smelter in Ferndale comes as a blow to our entire community. Today’s news makes it clearer than ever that the global economic crisis is hitting home here in Whatcom County.
“My staff will do everything we can to help the 75 Alcoa employees and 46 contractors who lost their jobs find new work. We are looking into ways we can be of assistance to local community organizations as they help laid off workers and their families.
“Today’s announcement comes exactly one month after Alcoa and the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) announced the framework for a deal to keep Ferndale’s aluminum smelter running for the next twenty years. It is more critical than ever that this draft agreement be finalized to help keep family-wage jobs at the Ferndale smelter for the next two decades and bring long-term stability for Intalco workers and their families.
“As your representative, I will keep fighting to get our economy on the road to recovery, and I will keep fighting for family-wage jobs here in Whatcom County.”
