Noranda layoffs spark talk on state's right-to-work proposals

SIKESTON, Mo. — U.S. Rep. Jason Smith met with community leaders from around the Missouri Bootheel to brainstorm ways to stimulate area job growth Saturday — including passing right-to-work laws in Missouri.

The session, which included several state legislators, centered on how to handle the likely closing next month of Noranda Aluminum Inc.’s aluminum smelter in New Madrid, Missouri.

Noranda announced in January it would lay off 350 employees and

possibly shut down all

operations by March 12.

Several factors, including the market prices for aluminum, internal business issues and two idled pot lines, have made the likelihood of the plant closing seem to grow as that date approaches. If it closes, it would mean the loss of about 900 area jobs.

“I felt like it’s extremely important to get local leaders throughout the Bootheel in the same room,” Smith, a Republican from Salem, said. “This is a community-wide interest. ... This is a priority of mine and a priority of my office.”

Even if the plant remains open, hundreds of its workers already have been forced to search for new jobs. Several people from the educational community were on hand to explain what sort of career-training options are available for Southeast Missouri residents.

Southeast Missouri State University offers free services to help aspiring entrepreneurs start or grow a business. In response to the Noranda announcement, it has expanded the hours of its Catapult business incubator in Cape Girardeau.

Three Rivers College, which hosted the meeting, also offers training programs.

State Rep. Donna Lichtenegger, R-Jackson, said in addition to retraining, community colleges should be a more integral part of building a job-ready work force. She advocated for more emphasis on enrolling high-schoolers in the A+ program, which helps provide scholarships to two-year colleges.

“Not everybody needs a four-year degree,” she said, calling the A+ program “a big deal.”

“This isn’t about where you send kids to throw them away,” she said. “This is where you send them to make a good living.”

The panel also discussed union legislation. The consensus was Missouri’s lack of “right to work” legislation is driving businesses away to surrounding states such as Arkansas and Tennessee. Right-to-work laws would bar companies from requiring union membership or dues as conditions of employment.

“We’re being held back. We will not get anything until we can get a level playing field,” said New Madrid County Presiding Commissioner Mark Baker.

He asked the legislators whether there’s any possibility southern Missouri could pass right-to-work laws independently from the rest of the state. Each of the assembled lawmakers had been advocates of a state right-to-work law.

“You can’t get everyone to think like we do in Southeast Missouri,” Smith said. “I wish they did. ... Sometimes we have to be like a Chihuahua, always nipping at the heels to get things done.”

State Sen. Doug Libla said federal agencies also have hindered the business climate in Southeast Missouri for the past 25 to 30 years.

Smith agreed, reiterating his desire the Environmental Protection Agency be dismantled, saying the agency is “declaring war on rural America.”

He offered a sentiment of hope in closing, saying that now community leaders are acquainted, work to help displaced job-seekers can begin.

“The best days are still yet ahead,” he said. “We’re having tough times ... but we can attract business.”

tgraef@semissourian.com

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