Nov 6, 2004 By Patty Shultz 4 min read

SOUTH CONNELLSVILLE – Angry and saddened Anchor Glass Corp. workers filled the second floor meeting room at the borough’s volunteer fire department hall Friday searching for answers as to why, without warning, they were no longer employed. Well before the 2 p.m. scheduled meeting time, the 300 employees filed into the room, reaching out to one another in an embrace or a handshake. Many found it hard to hold back the tears.

“I’ve given 18 years to this company, now what am I supposed to do,” said an unidentified woman as she hugged a co-worker. “I’ve done everything they’ve asked and for what?”

Union representatives Charles Echard, Charles Tressler and Peggy Shultz have a combined 71 years with the glass manufacturer, but found it hard to offer any solace to those they had fought for in the workplace.

“It’s terribly difficult because we can’t do anything for them,” said Shultz. “We just don’t have any answers.”

On Thursday, the three were summoned to the South Connellsville plant and informed that the facility was to be shut down and the employees on the floor of the plant performing their duties would be sent home.

Echard said he was taken by surprise at the announcement.

“We weren’t given any advance notice,” he said. “No one knew.”

Darrin Campbell, chief executive officer for the Tampa, Fla., based company, attributed the closure to competition in the glass container industry, energy prices and changes in environmental and other government regulations in a statement released late Thursday.

“This was a very difficult decision, particularly considering the dedication, talent and hard work of the Connellsville employees,” he said. “However, our recently completed analysis of Anchor Glass’ existing capacity given the current industry environment indicated that this plant’s economics could not be improved materially.”

Anchor is the nation’s third-largest bottler. On Friday, share prices dropped after the company posted a wider third-quarter loss, according to a CBS MarketWatch Web site.

The corporation also reported that revenue fell by nearly four-percent in the same period.

The local workers, meanwhile, were advised by Richard Baumcratz, international representative of the Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics & Allied Workers Union, that they would receive their respective salaries for the next three months and a severance package.

The official also said the workers would be eligible for unemployment compensation after the 90-day period and would receive any owed vacation pay. In-place health benefits would remain intact over the next six months, added Baumcratz.

The workers were enraged, however, when Baumcratz indicated the union would continue to deduct dues from the salaries.

“Why? You haven’t done anything for us,” shouted one woman from the audience.

The official was also questioned about the company pension fund, and if and when, the workers would be able to tap into the fund.

Two years ago when the corporation emerged from bankruptcy, the federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. assumed control of the company’s pension fund that was, at the time, underfunded by approximately $120 million, according to Tressler.

Most, said Baumcratz, will have to wait until they reach the age of 65.

It has yet to be determined whether the workers will be eligible for retraining.

Jim Watt, another international union representative, told the gathered workers that the union would make every effort to “soften the blow.”

“We’re going to do everything we can,” said Watt.

Some of the maintenance and shipping employees will be required to return to the workplace, said Baumcratz, as the company shutters the plant and moves equipment to other facilities. Office personnel will also continue to work until the end of the year.

Workers will be eligible to apply for positions at the company’s other facilities, added Baumcratz.