Nineteen members of the United Steelworkers (USW) union who were employed at the Asarco smelter in El Paso will receive full pension benefits as a result of an arbitrator’s decision issued late last week.

“Each of these former employees worked at the El Paso smelter for over 20 years,” said Bob LaVenture, USW District 12 Director.  “They should have received these benefits eight years ago. It is unfortunate that it took so long, but we are glad that they will finally receive the pensions they were due.”

Asarco suspended operations at its copper smelter in El Paso, Texas in February 1999, laying off 350 employees. Approximately 100 employees retired in the two years following the curtailment, and the USW bargained early retirement benefits for other long-term employees affected by the layoff in June 2001 ... more