Aluminum plant to cut 982 jobs

HANNIBAL, Ohio (AP) -- An aluminum-maker has notified workers that it intends to lay off up to 982 workers at its eastern Ohio plant this fall. Ormet Corp. sent the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification concerning the company's plant in Hannibal late Monday to union workers, the Monroe County commissioners and Ohio officials. Ormet said in the notice that it might curtail up to six aluminum production pot lines, and it said that the "curtailment of operations will result in the loss of up to 833 hourly and 149 salary positions." Company spokeswoman Linda King confirmed yesterday that the notices were sent but declined to comment further. Hannibal is just across the Ohio River from West Virginia. Monroe County had an unemployment rate of 12.6 percent in June.