By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The union president at Arconic confirms that nine full-time employees and additional outside contractors are being let go. The full-time employees will have their last day Friday.
"Gold hats are our full-time people, plus contractors supporting us and maintenance contractors, I'd say we were at eighty-two," said USW Local 1350-1 President Brian Oard. "I think we'll be down, counting the contractors, like twenty-six."
Those being laid off are regular production workers for now and it's based on seniority.
"We don't know if there's going to be more," Oard said. "It depends on the orders and what happens with the 737. I don't anticipate more."
Oard says he'd estimate about half of the work Arconic has been doing of late was related to the 737 MAX. That plane has been grounded due to safety concerns by the FAA and it will likely be at least mid-year before it flies again.