By Associated Press - Saturday, November 21, 2015

FERNDALE, Wash. (AP) - Alcoa has given the state notice that it plans to lay off workers at two aluminum smelters in Ferndale and Wenatchee.

The Bellingham Herald reports (https://goo.gl/W2tQtD ) that Alcoa has filed a 60-day layoff notice for both facilities.

The company said in a statement earlier this month that it will idle the smelters as part of a larger plan to shrink aluminum output. It said it will continue operating the casthouse in Ferndale.



According to the notice filed with the state Employment Security Department, temporary layoffs could begin Jan. 5 for 415 workers in Wenatchee and Jan. 18 for 465 workers in Ferndale.

The company hasn’t said how long the smelters would be idled, saying it will evaluate market conditions to determine if and when a restart is possible.

___

Information from: The Bellingham Herald, https://www.bellinghamherald.com

Copyright © 2026 The Washington Times, LLC.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.