FERNDALE, Wash. – Some progress has been made in the effort to reopen the Alcoa smelter in Ferndale, though there are still big obstacles to overcome.
The prospective buyer of the smelter, Blue Wolf Capital Partners, has reached a labor deal with Intalco union members that left the workers optimistic about returning to improved wages and benefits.
After nearly 700 employees were laid off in the summer of 2020, only 12 employees have been left to do routine maintenance at the non-functioning facility.
While the labor deal was an important step forward, the most difficult hurdle is still on the horizon as Blue Wolf continues to negotiate with Bonneville Power Administration to land an energy contract to get the smelter running again.
Washington’s entire U.S. delegation has signed a letter to BPA’s administrator urging it to reach an agreement with Blue Wolf.