Kaiser to Lay Off Spokane Workers

11/20/2000

Associated Press

Kaiser Aluminum says it will curtail production and lay off some employees at its Spokane smelter.

The company says it is making the move to soften the blow of new federal power contracts that take effect next year.

In the meantime, the company is selling some of the power it now has under contract.

President and CEO Ray Milchovich says the sale will net about $47 million, which will be used to mitigate the curtailment and help pay for higher power costs next year.

The company says it doesn't know how many employees will be laid off this week.

But the United Steelworkers of America says it could be 130 or more union members.