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Charleroi glass plant closing final

By Paul Paterra 3 min read
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A letter detailing the closing of the World Kitchen plant in Charleroi was sent to the mayor this week.
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World Kitchen employees take part in a Sept. 20 rally.

Last-ditch efforts to keep a longtime glass plant in Charleroi apparently have failed, based on the contents of a letter from the parent company detailing the timeline of the shutdown.

The letter from Corelle Brands LLC, dated Thursday and sent to Charleroi Mayor Gregg Doerfler, set a permanent closing date of Feb. 28.

The first employee terminations will take place on or about Dec. 9, but customer demands may result in certain employees remaining beyond that date, according to the letter.

“The planned action will result in the permanent closure of the Corelle Brands Charleroi facility and the permanent elimination of all job classifications involved with the facilities,” the letter reads.

Kristen Hopkins-Calcek, council president, called Friday a “disappointing” day in the borough.

“Of course we’re emotional,” she said. “We had such high hopes and worked so hard to do everything we could to put pressure on Anchor Hocking to keep the plant open. It’s very hard when you’re dealing with the private sector when you’re in government, because you can only do so much.

“We’re here to support all of the employees. Our heart goes out to them and all of the families that are affected and the community itself. We’re going to forge forward with a new plan of action to help our community and stimulate industrial growth here to the best of our abilities.”

When contacted Friday, Councilman Larry Celaschi, who previously noted that his grandfather, Pete Celaschi, was a longtime employee of the plant, said he was in a “salty” mood.

“This is some Christmas gift for all of these workers. Total heartbreak wrapped in deception,” he said. “The labor force didn’t even get their copy yet. To do it this way was totally tasteless.”

Danielle Byrne, vice president of United Steelworkers 53G, which represents workers at the plant, said she had not received a letter as of Friday, but did say the union will be meeting with the company Tuesday. She declined to comment further until she knows more.

Workers at the plant and government officials at local, state and federal levels pledged to continue the fight to keep the longstanding glass company afloat. A rally attended by numerous past and present employees was held Sept. 20 at Davies Ford in an effort to keep the plant open.

At the rally, Byrne likened the closure to a family being broken up.

“I’ve been here 35 years, my husband has been here 36 years,” she said. “We don’t want to lose this. Three hundred hard-working people are going to lose good-paying jobs and be without a job. This is a family-oriented plant.”

Workers were informed Sept. 4 that plant operations will be moved to an Anchor Hocking glass plant in Lancaster, Ohio. More than 300 employees – some with as many as 48 years of service – will lose their jobs. About 20 were let go as soon as the deal was announced.

Mark Eichorn, CEO of Anchor Hocking, said about 150 positions would be opening up at the Lancaster plant.

World Kitchen manufactures kitchenware and tableware, including Corelle and Pyrex brands. The history of the plant dates back to 1893, when it was MacBeth-Evans Glass Co.

Ownership has changed hands numerous times in its long history, with the most recent owners being New York-based Center Lane Partners, following its acquisition of the appliances division of Instant Brands. Anchor Hocking is another company under the Centre Lane umbrella.

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