New Kaiser Facility Dedicated By Governor
Spokane got its first look at the new carbon bake facility at the Kaiser Aluminum plant at Mead on Monday.
Everyone at the dedication, including Kaiser workers, local and state officials and regional business leaders, praised the $40 million expansion. The 17-month modernization, which was finished early and under budget, will improve efficiency, reduce the usage of natural gas by 60 percent, and save 10 million kilowatts of electricity.
Gov. Gary Locke sang praises of the new facility at the Mead plant, which employs about 1,200 people.
“The vision and foresight of this company are truly creating an upward spiral in this community,” he said. “It’s yet another step toward Spokane’s success in the coming century.”
Locke talked about government actions which allow tax advantages to companies building or expanding in the state. “Just a couple of million saved can make a big difference,” he said. “It’s leveling the playing field to keep these businesses here. We need to do everything we can to keep these jobs.”
But a few who attended the ceremony said they’re watching how the company will close down four furnaces in the older part of the plant, which will affect about 25 employees.
“It’s kind of mixed emotions about this,” said Steve Sims, chair of the grievance committee for the United Steelworkers Local 329. “In many ways this expansion is good. But Kaiser used it to undermine 50 years of contract language.”
Senior workers with up to 30 years of experience on the old furnaces will probably go back to the sort of jobs they had when they started at the plant, Sims said. And portions of contracts for other workers who move to the new facility will be changed, he said.
The Steelworkers’ contract is up for negotiation next year, Sims said.
Many at the dedication said the new construction at Kaiser Mead is good for the employees and the region. It was built by local workers with 60 percent of the costs spent locally, having a $50 million impact on the region, said Tom Franklin, works manager at the plant.
“It’s comparable to the size, scope and cost of the Spokane arena,” Franklin said.
State Sen. Jim West praised the aluminum company for its commitment to the community. “The kinds of jobs that Kaiser has are exactly the kinds of job in Washington State that makes the future bright for everybody.”
The facility will fire up this week and should be running at full capacity in about two months.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo