Occupy Century Aluminum Retirees Enter Week Eight of Encampment

From Workers Independent News Labor Report, 2.6.12

Since December 18 a couple dozen of retirees of a Century Aluminum plant in Ravenswod, West Virginia, have occupied a median along Route 33. They call their encampment Occupy Century Aluminum and say they’ve taken this action to fight a company that has kicked hundreds of retired employees off of health care. After shuttering the West Virginia smelter in early 2009, Century Aluminum began terminating health benefits for retirees in June of 2010.

After nearly two years of trying to get the company’s attention the retirees found inspiration in the 99 percent movement. Karen Gorrell, at 62, is the youngest resident of Occupy Century Aluminum and she told the story of Sam McKinney who died on Valentine’s Day 2011.

Listen to the entire story.

Published February 6th, 2012

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