Chelan County PUD plans to cut dam jobs to save money

Chelan County PUD plans to cut dam jobs to save money

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Story Published: Jan 8, 2009 at 8:24 PM PDT

Story Updated: Jan 8, 2009 at 8:24 PM PDT

By Associated Press

WENATCHEE, Wash. (AP) - The Chelan County Public Utility District plans to eliminate 10 jobs at its two Columbia River dams to cut costs.

Six full-time workers will be laid off by July 1, and three vacant positions and one seasonal position won't be filled.

The utility says the job cuts at the Rock Island and Rocky Reach dams are expected to save the PUD about $825,000 per year.

Currently, 104 people work at the two dams. The utility says work shifts will be restructured to get the same jobs done with 40 employees instead of 50.

Dam workers last year settled an overtime lawsuit that cost the PUD $360,000 in back pay, plus $262,000 in legal bills. But PUD and union officials tell The Wenatchee World there is no connection between that settlement and the layoffs.

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