Alcan says union vote prompts orderly shutdown of Ravenswood aluminum plant

Alcan: orderly shutdown of Ravenswood plant starts

RAVENSWOOD, W.Va. — Alcan Rolled Products says it’s begun closing its Ravenswood, West Virginia, plant in response to a strike notice from union workers.

Alcan announced what it called an orderly shutdown Sunday. The Rio Tinto subsidiary says it won’t operate the plant without workers from United Steelworkers Local 5668.

Members of the local rejected Alcan’s latest contract offer 397-251 in voting Thursday and Friday. On Saturday morning, the union issued a 72-hour strike notice.

Alcan says the union is putting the plant in jeopardy, along with a $10 million loan offered by Gov. Joe Manchin. Alcan says it’s awaiting an offer to resume discussions with the union.

About 700 of the plant’s 1,000 workers are represented by the union. Alcan is the largest employer in Jackson County.