Posted on 07/21/2013 10:32:39 PM PDT by grundle
A job for life. That's what they were promised.
It wasn't in a contract, but to the 20 men who gathered for Bud Lights and commiseration Wednesday night in Greene County, working at a power plant was the equivalent.
"This was the job everybody wanted," said Ray Christner Jr. of Brownsville. "We had it. And now it's gone."
Nine days had passed since FirstEnergy announced it will shut down two power plants: Hatfield's Ferry, Greene County, across the Monongahela River from Masontown, Fayette County, and Mitchell in Union Township, Washington County, by Oct. 9 -- leaving 380 people without work.
"First, we were shocked. Then we were upset. Now, we're just angry," said Gregg Jerome of Uniontown, an electrician at the plant.
The employees are mainly from Greene, Fayette and Washington counties. Many started at the plants soon after high school and some have stayed for more than 30 years. Others were transferred to Hatfield's Ferry and Mitchell when FirstEnergy closed six coal-fired power plants in Ohio, Maryland and Pennsylvania last year.
Those at Hatfield thought the plant would surely be safe from closure, as Allegheny Energy invested $650 million on scrubbers meant to eliminate sulfur and mercury emissions just four years ago.
If the workers lived somewhere else, losing a job in the power business might not be as stressful. But in Pennsylvania, where coal-fired power production has decreased 28 percent since 2005, there are few, if any, jobs that can replace what the workers at Hatfield's Ferry and Mitchell had: regular hours, salaries between $22 and $30 per hour, and good benefits, all without a college education.
"I understand the importance of regulations and clean air," said technician David Donaldson, 45. "But ask Obama this -- what good is green energy to me if I can't support my family?"
(Excerpt) Read more at post-gazette.com ...
It is a sad, sad world when you know more people that are laid off and without jobs, then you know people that are employed.
Wow, reminds me of the Mitt Romney campaign smear commercials. All they need is wives with cancer who lose their benefits. No-one will report that though right?
And how many of these guys voted for Obama? How’s that hopey changey stuff working out for them?
YOU HEARD HIS PLAN FOR COAL, WHAT THE HECK WERE YOU THINKING?
Gravedigging is a shovel-ready job, and Obama has one for you - digging your own ...
Thankfully my younger brother got the hell outta there when Sunoco closed their plant.He had a job in Texas within 24 hours.Never looked back.Shame about those that a left.
Whenever I see a story like this one, I wonder how many of those poor souls voted for the African communist Ubama in the first place.
I just want to laugh at those morons.
The RNC should run ads every day featuring these layed off workers.
It’s even sadder knowing that they were warned by every conservative that they would be laid off, if Obama got re-elected and they probably voted for him anyway.
The RNC is making matters worse with its amnesty agenda.
Amen!
Looks like Romney was right about Detroit as well. Such is the fate of fools who listen to and believe lies.
While its sad, PA consistently votes for a Demoncrat president every election year. The Bible is right when it says: ye shall reap what you sow.
“...what good is green energy to me if I can’t support my family?”
Some of these folks should’ve thought of that before voting for Obamagabe.
This is absolutely devastating to this area.
If it weren't for fracking this area would look like Detroit. Actually downtown Brownsville does look like Detroit on a good day but it only cover 1/ 10 of their city block.
And Penn. will continue to vote Democrat.
The RNC is too afraid of offending Obama and McCain.
I’ve been to many similar areas. My daughter-in-law’s family is in the Luzerne / Edwardsville / Forty Fort area across the river from Wilkes Barre. I had roommates and friends from places like Sunbury, Shenendoah, Tamaqua, and (yes) Frackville. That’s more central PA, but it is an area that was built around coal mining and now it’s mostly just hanging in. A lot of people who grew up there, stay there, though. It is a beautiful area.
Greene County, PA is represented by Kieth Rothfus - Republican
Washington County, PA is represented by Shuster and Tim Murphy - Republicans
Does anyone see a pattern developing here?
Trying to discuss an economical and practical national energy policy with a Liberal is like trying to teach rocket science to a dog.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.