Students share experiences with potential Alcoa shutdown

When Alcoa announced the idling of their Wenatchee smelter on Nov. 2, the story of hundreds of jeopardized jobs spread far and wide.

Often left out from these reports, however, is the fact that behind these 428 potential layoffs stands 428 men and women, and behind these 428 individuals stands 428 families. These employees are not mere workers, but mothers, grandfathers, or husbands to loved ones who might share the effects of unemployment. Some of these dependent family members walk the halls of Wenatchee High School.

Senior Joe Sells returned home from school last Monday to receive word that his father, Dode Sells, would be losing his job. Sells’ brother, Nick Sells, had found out from a news source and passed the message on.

The news shocked Sells. He knew that the possibility of the plant idling existed, however, he didn’t expect it for another few years.

“It just kind of came out of nowhere,” Sells said. “My dad said it was like losing a family member because he worked there for 15 years or so.”

Senior Hallie Huffaker arrived home the same day to hear from her mother, Amanda Huffaker, that her father, uncle, and grandfather would lose their jobs at Alcoa. Her uncle, Ty McGrew, had worked at the plant for more than 25 years.

Huffaker’s father, Neil Huffaker, stands as the main supporter of the family as her mother does not currently work. This is a situation that will make for a difficult transition, Huffaker said. “We thought that this would be a job my dad would have for the rest of his life, so it will have a big impact on what our family is going to do [with our future].”

The Huffaker family didn’t receive the news from the traditional phone call or letter, but rather from a newspaper article. Her grandfather, Steve Farmer, had attended a meeting with other employees who had heard a rumor of the closing of the plant, however the family “mainly found out from The Wenatchee World,” Huffaker said.

“

My dad will be able to find something new and almost start over again. I hope something really good will come out of this.

— Hallie Huffaker. Senior

“It was frustrating that they knew more about it before we even knew,” Huffaker said. “I got very emotional to be honest. I couldn’t believe it was happening.”

History teacher and senior class adviser Brandon Harle belongs to a family who has been involved with Alcoa for a long period of time. Both Harle’s father and stepfather worked at the plant for around 30 years up until their retirement.

When Harle heard of the plant’s idling, the news didn’t astonish him. Harle had expected the day to come eventually as he had heard the prospect of such an event taking place from various sources, such as the newspaper and family members. Nonetheless, Harle is shocked for the families involved.

“It’s not something you read about in the newspaper and think, ‘That’s happening over there,’ ” Harle said. “It’ll be incredibly difficult for everybody.

“[The Alcoa workers] are going to be upended both financially and physically. [There are] families that have house payments and car payments and kids who are going to college. There are people who were close to retirement who are not going to get the full benefits of that. There are people who were only a few years into their careers and now they have to find something else,” Harle said.

The Alcoa employees’ last day of work will be Jan. 5, 2016, according to Huffaker. This date not only marks the end of an era for the Wenatchee Alcoa plant, but perhaps a fresh start for families in the community as well.

Huffaker remains optimistic while her father searches for a new career path. Her mother has also recently been hired as a receptionist at Confluence Health and will begin work soon.

“I know everything is going to work out. Especially with my mom getting her job. My dad will be able to find something new and almost start over again. I hope something really good will come out of this,” Huffaker said. “We’re very into faith [as a family], so we believe God has a plan for us.”