Apr 01, 2003 — State officials will resume talks next week with aluminum giant Alcoa about the future of the company's two plants in Massena. One of them nearly closed last December. 110 people were laid off. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Jan 09, 2003 — Alcoa jarred Wall Street yesterday when it reported larger-than-expected losses, and widespread layoffs. Alcoa's stock fell 10 percent on the New York Stock Exchange. The company--the biggest aluminum company in the world--will cut about 8,000 jobs in 2003. The news comes just weeks after 110 workers were laid off at one of Alcoa's Massena plants. Those layoffs were part of a deal to save the local plant from a complete shutdown. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Dec 20, 2002 — Few were surprised when Alcoa Metals announced Wednesday it would lay off more than a hundred workers from its smelting plant. What did catch people off guard was how close the plant was to shutting down altogether. An emergency cost-cutting package ensures operation through 2003. But as David Sommerstein reports, even bigger challenges lie ahead.  Go to full article

Dec 19, 2002 — Alcoa Primary Metals will eliminate 110 jobs at its East Smelter plant in Massena. But a new $7 million dollar power contract and a joint labor-management restructuring effort will keep the plant operating, at least for another year. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Nov 27, 2002 — State and local lawmakers are hopeful after a meeting Monday with Alcoa officials and the New York Power Authority to find ways to cut costs at Alcoa's East plant in Massena. Alcoa has told plant officials to cut $23 million from next year's budget, which could endanger the jobs of more than 125 workers. David Sommerstein talks with Ken McDonnell, mayor of the village of Massena, about the challenges the plant faces.  Go to full article

Jul 05, 2002 — The St. Lawrence County village of Massena kicked off two weeks of events this week to celebrate its 200th birthday. Tomorrow marks another Massena milestone. Alcoa--the Aluminum Company of America--commemorates 100 years since it broke ground on its aluminum smelting operation.

Alcoa made Massena a classic company town for decades. Today's residents are descendants of European immigrants who sought work at the height of the industrial age. Like most North Country history, Alcoa's story starts with water. David Sommerstein looks at the past and future of Alcoa in Massena.  Go to full article

Jul 05, 2002 — From the NCPR archives, a story about the history of Massena and Alcoa, and the beginnings of the aluminum industry in Massena. Our story was produced in 1989 to complement the exhibit Canal to Company Town by the St. Lawrence County Historical Association.  Go to full article

Apr 12, 2002 — A study of rural areas by the Public Service Commission will demonstrate ways to improve access to telecommunications in the North Country. State Senator Jim Wright says rural communities continue to fall behind more populated areas in technological infrastructure.  Go to full article

Mar 29, 2002 — Senator Charles Schumer was on a whirlwind tour of the North Country Thursday with stops in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. One of his visits was to the Alcoa plants in Massena. As Jody Tosti reports, the Senator met with union leaders and plant management to discuss the company's role in the community.  Go to full article

Dec 12, 2001 — When economists recently announced the country was in a recession, most people already knew. In Massena, Alcoa workers have been feeling the pinch of a lagging economy for over a year now. After its latest round of layoffs and early retirements, the company is assessing its needs for the future. More layoffs are possible. But as David Sommerstein reports, hints of a market turnaround may help dispel worries of further cutbacks.  Go to full article