Power Plant Workers Get Pink Slips

The first group among at least 150 workers to be laid off from the state’s only commercial nuclear power plant have received pink slips, the Washington Public Power Supply System said.

The notices for Plant No. 2 workers were distributed Friday and more will go out Monday, WPPSS spokesman Richard Romanelli said.

A final count of how many people are losing their jobs will not be available until Monday afternoon, he said. About 1,600 people are employed at the plant.

In a related matter, the supply system’s board of directors, meeting in Packwood on Friday, praised the cost-cutting efforts of general manager William Counsil.

Board member Don Carter acknowledged the layoffs will be hurtful to some, but he said it’s better to do things quickly.

“Our employees need to think about their work rather than if they will have a job,” he said.

Board member Roger Sparks added, “To be in business, you have to be hard and tough sometimes.”

The Bonneville Power Administration, which buys all the power Plant No. 2 produces, told WPPSS it had to cut costs or face closure.