Invista union backs two council incumbents, Allen

By The Daily Progress Staff

Published: April 28, 2008

A local union that represents more than 700 Invista Waynesboro employees said Monday it is endorsing incumbent councilmen Frank Lucente and Tim Williams and challenger Bruce Allen in next week’s City Council election because of the trio’s opposition to a stormwater fee, which the union says could force closure of the Waynesboro plant.
Invista has estimated the stormwater fee could cost the plant up to $240,000 a year.
“Given our slumping economy and the delicateness of all businesses, the union has decided that it must become involved in this council election and support candidates that support Waynesboro’s largest company,‘’ said the release from The United Workers, Local 381 of the International Brotherhood of DuPont Workers.
Local 381 President Jim Flickinger said the imposition of the fee on Invista, Waynesboro’s largest employer, could drive the company from Waynesboro.
Flickinger said the stormwater fee imposition would not only affect permanent Invista employees, but the Waynesboro site’s 500 contractural workers and 2,800 support workers.
He said if Invista Waynesboro closes its doors, it would be difficult to offset the lost jobs and revenues the plant now contributes.