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Finding jobs a challenge

Future for some Presque Isle Power Plant employees uncertain

The Presque Isle Power Plant in Marquette is pictured. (Journal file photo)

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the final part in a series of articles focusing on the recent closure of the Presque Isle Power Plant in Marquette.

MARQUETTE — Dozens of highly skilled workers have been impacted by the closure of the Presque Isle Power Plant in Marquette, many of whom have worked there for decades.

There was a time when it took nearly 200 workers to operate the plant, but just 85 were left on March 31 when the facility, owned by the Milwaukee-based WEC Energy Group, ceased commercial operation.

PIPP, which began operation in 1955 with one generating unit, was shut down in conjunction with the the beginning of commercial operations of the natural-gas-fired A.J. Mihm Generating Station in Baraga Township and the F.D. Kuester Generating Station in Negaunee Township owned by WEC Energy Group subsidiary Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corp.

UMERC spokesperson Amy Jahns said in an email Thursday that the company is grateful for to the dedicated PIPP employees.

“We understand that this has been a difficult process for the We Energies Presque Isle Power Plant employees,” Jahns said. “We appreciate their focus on safety and professionalism as we have been moving through this transition. Their care and attention to detail as we have put our plant in safe condition shows the dedication they have for their jobs.”

Although the employees paved the way for a smooth changeover from PIPP to the new generation facilities, their own transition has been anything but smooth according to a letter the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 510 is offering up for publication in local newspapers.

The letter, provided via email by IBEW Local 510 Vice President Scott Prudholm, takes issue with a variety of topics including severance payouts, employment opportunities within WEC and local media coverage that the union considers to be incorrect.

“That information has led to the public to believe that We Energies is offering the soon-to-be-laid-off employees at PIPP employment with the company if the employee wants it,” the letter states, “We would like to set the record straight.”

Prudholm said UMERC used PIC Group Inc., a contract staffing and consulting company that serves the power industry, to staff a dozen positions at the new plants.

“While 15 to 20 PIPP employees (or more) applied and interviewed for these jobs, they chose only two to work at these gas plants,” the letter states. “Adding insult to injury, the company did not even notify PIPP employees that these jobs were available and advertised. A member of our union local, looking for work using the internet, happened to stumble across the advertisement.”

Jahns said the PIC group was solely responsible for the hiring of employees at the new generation facilities.

“Our understanding is that at least six former employees were also hired by PIC Group Inc., the company UMERC hired to run the new generating stations based on its extensive expertise and experience running reciprocating internal combustion engine generating stations throughout the country,” Jahns said.

In 2017, she said, a number of employees were offered positions elsewhere within WEC Energy Group.

“At least 17 employees accepted those offers,” Jahns said. “We also worked closely with our employees and Local 510 as the plant came closer to retirement, including bringing in Michigan Works! Association to help employees explore resources and opportunities that were available to them within the Marquette community.”

Jahns said some PIPP employees will be released by the end of the month with additional releases happening by the end of May, which is another point that Prudholm takes issue with in his letter.

“As recent as several weeks ago, the employees were told that they would be laid off around mid-May. We recently were notified that roughly 50 of the 65 remaining employees will be laid off on April 26,” The letter states. “This is four days before a contractual pay increase is to take place. This pay increase would give them a little more take home before their termination.”

Jahns said the company in mid-February officially notified the Presque Isle Power Plant employees, the state of Michigan and the city of Marquette of its intentions to permanently close the plant.

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