'Manpower issues' resolved at REC Silicon site

MOSES LAKE - The construction manager on a major Moses Lake expansion project and a union of plate fitters resolved a situation which arose in late March.

Fluor Corporation is construction manager at the site of REC Silicon's expansion.

"We had experienced some productivity and quality issues at the site and we've been working very closely with the union. The construction manager there has been very collaborative with them," Fluor spokesperson Brian Mershon said. "We've had a very positive, collaborative working relationship with them throughout the project."

Steve Kelly, assistant general president of the United Association of Plate Fitters, based in Washington, D.C., said Fluor and subcontractors contacted the association because of manpower issues as far as the number of people available on March 24.

"It really wasn't a labor dispute," Kelly said. "We just made the administrative decision here to switch that particular job from one local to another. That's the end of the story."

Asked whether such a situation is common, Kelly responded, "It happens. Sometimes a local has other projects ongoing and it's difficult to get enough manpower. It's not unprecedented. Nobody's mad at anybody."

The situation was resolved, Kelly said.

"From what I hear, things are moving right along," he said. "We value REC's business and we want to do the very best we can for those contractors that use our folks."

"After addressing the productivity and quality issues, since March 24 we have seen nothing but very positive results and are actually quite pleased with the fact the project has stayed on schedule and being able to serve REC," Mershon echoed.