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February 5, 2008

Update: Bradford Dyeing to lay off more workers

WESTERLY -- The owner of a textile-finishing mill that is one of the Westerly area's largest employers says he'll lay off about a third of the mill's work force because of problems reaching a deal with his union on work rules, as well as higher energy prices.

About 53 employees at Bradford Dyeing Association, most of them members of the union, will be laid off in April.

"We have made the decision to proceed with a mass layoff that will take place in 60 days. The exact number of employees who will be affected by this decision remains unclear, however it will be many," said a statement today from Bradford Dyeing Association President Michael Grills.

The statement says the company was forced to outsource its bleach house operations due to the heavy blaze last May that drew dozens of fire and rescue personnel to the riverside facility on Route 91 on the Westerly-Hopkinton border.

Grills said he asked workers to make concessions in the work rules provision of the contract with Unite Here! Local 431.

In the statement, Grills said the benefit package costs the privately held company an average of nearly $50,000 per employee yearly. And he stated that increasing energy prices, and uncertainty regarding them, "has plagued our operations. As an example, our oil prices have almost tripled over the last two years."

Union Vice President Joe Edwards says the union didn't agree to the changes because it could affect its contracts in other mills.

BDA laid off 48 workers last November. At that point the workforce was down to 160.

The company, which specializes in printing fabrics for the military, has operated in Westerly since 1911.

-- The Associated Press and projo.com staff reports

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 3:41 PM | Permalink

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