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Manchin Visits Ravenswood, Century

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Reporter: Mollie Lair, Shannon Houser, Erin Pulsanti, The Associated Press

Century Aluminum Retirees Protest
Retirees Could Soon See Benefits Restored
Century Aluminum Retirees Celebrate Agreement
Century Aluminum Retirees Pass Proposal
Seventeen Retirees Won't See Benefits
Legislation To Promote Job Growth In Ravenswood
Senator Manchin Meets With Century Aluminum

Update: 4/12/2012 6:15 P.M.

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin did not have anything new to tell Ravenswood residents...about the efforts to re-open the Century Aluminum plant, now closed for more than three years.

But people representing the company retirees, whose retirement benefits recently were restored, had praise for his involvement in previous discussions to restart the plant.

"The legislature said no, the governor said no, Senator Manchin said no, until the retirees are taken care of," Kenny Perdue, President, West Virginia AFL-CIO, told the senator. "Then, a new CEO came along who said, we're going ot do this, we're going to deal with the retirees."

Manchin calls the effort to reopen Century "a tremendous opportunity", practically calling it historic in nature. And he says a reason for that is the optimism expressed by both the company and the steelworkers.

"I was sitting down at a table for an hour today, with people who hadn't been together or wouldn't have been together under any other circumstances," the Democratic senator told us after his meeting. "Now, they're all working together; they're all concerned about their jobs in that plant. And that's from the top of the management to the people working there. I just feel an attitude that's very positive, and I hope it continues."

Manchin also discussed a variety of other issues, including health care and the federal debt...before heading to Wood County to meet with officials at DuPont Washington Works.

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UPDATE: 4/2/2012 9:57 PM

New legislation to jump start commerce in Jackson County. Tax credits are part of a plan that could help Century Aluminum restart by August.

They would allow Century to save up to $20 million annually for 10 years on electricity costs when aluminum prices are weak.

"This bill lowers the power of the electric bill just enough that in today's aluminum market they can get 400-500 workers back here and still make somewhat of a profit. Obviously what we're hoping for as quickly as possible is for the price of aluminum to go up. That will help everyone out. So that's our goal here today," says West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin.

Its been closed since 2009, but reopening could mean economic growth and job opportunities.

"It would help the community tremendously because it would bring a lot of money and a lot of jobs. It would help tremendously," says Century retiree Roy Dailey.

"It would help the community. The jobs will be back in and people will go back to work and the taxes and you know the money spent in the local area will help the economy. It would be a good thing. A great thing and I'd be happy to see it," says Century retiree James Weltner.

Retirees lining up outside the plant to welcome the Governor is a much different scene from just weeks ago when they were camping out in an attempt to get back their health benefits.

"It wasn't a perfect agreement, but it's substantial and it gives the retirees a chance to live the rest of their retirement with a little bit of dignity and maybe a chance to live a little longer if we have health care and can seek the medical attention that we need desperately at this age," says Century retiree spokesperson Karen Gorrell.

Governor Tomblin echoed the sentiment of many in attendance calling it a celebration.
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UPDATE: 3/18/2012 10:50 PM

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Century Aluminum retirees helped pave
the way for a $20 million tax credit aimed at helping the company
reopen its West Virginia plant. But at least 17 retirees did not
take part in the vote that resolved the impasse over health
benefits.

These 17 died during the fight that followed the
California-based company's decision to eliminate retiree health
coverage. The retirees have sought to honor those who have passed
away during the campaign of pickets, rallies and prayer vigils
meant to call attention to their plight.

Thursday's vote accepted an agreement that should partly restore
benefits. It's also being credited for clearing a major hurdle in
the effort to reopen the Ravenswood plant. Supporters say that
could happen as early as August. The company plans to employ 450
people initially.

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UPDATE: As of 11:04 p.m. on Thursday, Century Aluminum retirees have voted to accept the agreement offered by the company.

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UPDATE 3/15/2013 10:10 PM

Retirees of Century Aluminum voted Thursday evening on the proposal for health care coverage.

Although the final numbers are not yet available, retirees are hopeful that they will finally see their health car coverage restored.

The retirees have worked within the community, through local, state and federal officials, and with Century Aluminum to see their health care benefits restored after losing them in 2010.

Century Retiree Spokesperson Karen Gorrell says she's hopeful that Friday the deal will go before the legislature for final approval.

"I'm very optimistic. I can't imagine a no vote," Gorrell explains. "Yesterday we had nothing and tomorrow we have hope. If you say no... you are walking away from hope. So, I think from the reaction of the crowd it will be a yes and I'll be anxious to see."

If the bill passes West Virginia officials say they're considering an annual $20 million tax break to help Century Aluminum that could help restart its Jackson County smelter.
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UPDATE: 3/12/2012

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Century Aluminum retirees in West Virginia are considering a proposal that would restore at least some of their health care benefits.

Retirees are scheduled to vote Thursday at Ravenswood High School on the company's offer.

Century closed its smelter in Ravenswood in 2009 and dropped retirees' health care coverage in 2010.

Randy Moore with the United Steelworkers tells the Charleston Gazette that he's optimistic about Thursday's vote. He says the proposal won't restore all of the retirees' benefits but it will provide meaningful health care.

Approval of the deal would remove a major hurdle in the quest to restart the plant. Century has said other factors that must be resolved include a competitive labor agreement and an energy contract.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Updated 3/1/2012 @ 7:15 P.M.

The crowd at the retirees' "occupy" encampment Thursday afternoon was joined by 97 year-old long-time congressman and secretary of state Ken Hechler in celebrating an agreement in principle with Century aluminum late Wenesday afternoon.

"Justice always wins in the long run...if you can stick at it," Hechler told the gathering.

And that agreement almost didn't happen. After talks broke down Sunday night, it looked like none was in sight. Retirees say it was the efforts of U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller that kept the process going.

"Had it not been for him and the hard work of others, we probably would have never been able to sit across the table with Century Aluminum and negotiate a deal," said Karen Gorrell, Retirees Spokeswoman.

The mayor of Ravenswood, Lucy Harbert, says it was a call she made to West Virginia's other senator, Joe Manchin, that restarted the negotiations.

"He made a few calls," the mayor said, "and in a day and a half, we got the retirees a fair deal, and they said that, too."

Gorrell says the agreement in principle is a $69 million package, one which, at the least, benefits former Century workers who are over 65 years of age. She is concerned as to how, or if, it will benefit retired workers younger than 65.

"There was a commitment made, and we're going to make sure the retirees are treated the way they were promised," Sen. Manchin said in a satellite interview Thursday. "And we worked through that; the company had a management change, which took a whole different approach."

And that new management wants other things before the Century plant can reopen. They include an agreement with the United Steelworkers, and a new energy pact. But a major step toward filling this barren parking lot has been climbed.

UPDATE:

After years of negotiating an agreement in principle is reached. Century Aluminum announced a potential agreement with retirees regarding healthcare benefits.

In a media release, Century Officials say they've worked diligently with retirees and the union for a considerable amount of time and are pleased to have reached an agreement. The agreement remains subject to ratification by the retirees.

Details of the agreement are not being released at this time but officials say this is the first step of a long process that could eventually lead to a plant restart in Ravenswood.
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UPDATE:

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement about the agreement in principle reached between Century Aluminum and its retirees to provide health care and potentially return hundreds of good-paying jobs at the Ravenswood plant.

“This is a great day for West Virginia’s hard-working families because we’ve taken a major step to show the world that we can come together to do what is right – and that we’re going to fight for every job. As West Virginia proves every day, our workforce can – and will – compete with anyone else in the world.

“While there are still details to be resolved, every West Virginian can be elated that the workers who depend on Century Aluminum for their livelihoods are another step closer to having the opportunity to take care of themselves and their families. I’m also very pleased that the retirees who lost their health care coverage are near the end of their nightmare, and when the agreement is finalized, will be treated with the pride, dignity and respect that they deserve.

“I want to applaud the company’s management, the Steelworkers of America and retirees who worked together to achieve this tremendously successful day for the state of West Virginia. I applaud the Governor and his staff, as well as the entire Congressional delegation for their hard work. But this deal belongs to the workers and retirees who made this happen.”

Senator Jay Rockefeller issued the following statement after Century Aluminum reached a health care deal with its workers and retirees. This deal paves the way for reopening the Ravenswood plant.

“This is fantastic news – for the company, for its retirees, and for the Ravenswood community. We all had a shared goal – reopening the Ravenswood plant and doing so in a way that provided health care to Century retirees. Today, that goal is one-step closer to being realized because the company and the retirees found common ground for the future of West Virginia.

“From the beginning, I’ve said that we’d leave no stone unturned in trying to reopen the plant and make sure that the active workers and retirees are given a fair shake – and throughout the negotiations I have continued to work with all parties so that we could make this happen. During these final days and hours, I have been in close touch with both sides. The union, retirees, and especially Karen Gorrell have been tireless in their efforts. Every retiree across this country deserves someone as passionate and fearless as Karen on their side. I also appreciate that the company, under the leadership of Mike Bless, has stepped up to make this deal happen.”

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin made the following statement on the success of the Century Aluminum negotiations:

"Century Aluminum and its retirees have reached an agreement in principle. We are thrilled Century Aluminum has reached this agreement, and although the details are still to be worked out, we are encouraged to be closer to reopening the plant," Gov. Tomblin said. "Century Aluminum is a critical piece needed to bring back hundreds of jobs and revitalize Jackson County."

Details on the deal are not yet being released to WTAP. Stay tuned to WTAP and WTAP.com for the latest as this story develops.
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450 retirees, zero health benefit, and still no agreement.

Retirees met Sunday in the state's capitol with company representatives, hoping to work out a deal.

Retiree spokesperson, Karen Gorrell, tells WTAP no agreement was reached. She says the retirees feel broken down and are only asking for a fair deal, for the health benefits they were promised.

Gorrell says they still plan to occupy their camp site in Ravenswood and have no intention of going anywhere.

No further meetings are scheduled at this point.

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UPDATE: 2/26/2012 8:42 PM

450 retirees and zero health benefits. The Century Aluminum retirees head to Charleston with hopes of regaining their health care coverage

Karen Gorrell, the spokesperson for the Century Retirees tells WTAP, the retirees have a meeting at the capitol to meet with delegation about seeing their health care benefits returned.

Gorrell says there can only be one of two outcomes: either their benefits are returned or not. She says if the retirees leave the Charleston without their benefits, they will continue to Occupy Century and fight for what they say they deserve.

"We're just a small group of little people but we were determined and we had passion and God was on our side," Garrell says. "And we're praying for the greatest victory and a real success story for everyone."

Stay tuned to WTAP and WTAP.com for the latest on this story as it becomes available.
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UPDATE: 2/24/2012 4:45 PM

Negotiations will continue this Sunday and could result in restoring benefits to Century Aluminum retirees.

Many are camping outside of the plant, "Occupying" Century Aluminum.

Negotiations this Sunday in Charleston could put the retirees one step closer in getting their benefits back.

Legislatures say the number one factor to re-open the plant is making sure this issue is resolved.

Retirees say they're hoping the end result of the meeting on Sunday is a success story.

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From Occupy Wall Street to occupy Century Aluminum. These protesters aren't fighting for jobs though, they're retired. they're fighting to get their benefits back.

"We're trying to get our insurance back they took away from us. They just wrote us a letter and said we got none, and they promised us for life," retiree, Charles King says.

Insurance that's crucial to the health of these retired workers, especially King.

"I had a stroke and had cancer and a couple mini-strokes. I ain't too good of health, but I'm still here kickin."

These retirees have only being occupying this area for a few weeks, but they say their fight began years ago.

"We just go to Charleston legislatures and talked to the governor and Rockefeller and Manchin and they all said they wouldn't sign legislation to give them a break on their electricity until we got our insurance back."

With just a bonfire, a few tents, and no sign of Century Aluminum giving in, these determined retirees are sticking it out till the end.

"We're not leaving. We're gonna be right here through the duration."

Senator Joe Manchin released a statement in his support for this retired workers saying;

"I strongly believe that those who have worked hard for their benefits should get the compensation they have earned and deserve and I have been - and will continue to be - very supportive of Century's retirees in their fight for health care. I have personally sat down with Century retirees and my office continues to work with them in meetings with other federal agencies to come up with the best possible ways to find affordable health care. I am hopeful that a reasonable compromise can still be reached in this dispute, and my office and I will continue to offer any assistance that we can for these retirees who are fighting for their families and their health care benefits."