(Press Release) Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPS) has issued a 12-month notice of layoff to Local 310 of the International Union of Operating Engineers. The notice covers 74 members of this local. The affected employees work in connection with the company's older coal-fired generating units at Weston and Green Bay. Under the contract with Local 310, layoffs cannot begin until 12 months after the notice.
“Given the uncertainty about existing and proposed air pollution regulations and the impacts they will have on the operations of our generation units, we believe it was prudent for both our employees and our customers, to notify Local 310 at this time of future layoffs.” said Terry Jensky, WPS vice president of energy supply operations. The labor agreement with Local 310 allows for the layoff notice to be extended, modified or withdrawn at the company’s discretion.
WPS is committed to ensuring that this action does not affect safety, energy reliability, or the company's long-term business strategies.