A heavy equipment workers’ union will turn the former United Auto Workers Local 662 union hall into an training center for X-ray and ultrasonic testing workers in January.
The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 112 closed on the $500,000 sale Tuesday. UAW Local 662, which represents workers at bankrupt auto supplier Delphi Corp., built the building in 2000 for about $1 million.
“It’s not good, but things haven’t been good for quite awhile,” UAW Local 662 President Rick Zachary said. The union will continue to lease about 2,000 square feet in the back of the 14,400-square-foot building for member services. Located at 2715 Rangeline Road, the building is on about three acres.
The revenue will be used to fund some kind of buyout program for the unions’ 10 maintenance and clerical workers whose benefits the bankrupt union was forced to cut off this year.
Zachary wasn’t sure how much the buyout would be or when it would be offered.
“Sometimes there are other reasons to sell other than price,” said real estate agent Jim Bittner, commercial broker at RE/MAX Real Estate Groups in Anderson. The list price was $750,000 when the site went up for sale in May.
Over the last five years, membership at Local 662 has dropped from 3,300 to fewer than 700 in May. Delphi officials have said they will close Anderson operations in summer 2007.
The facility will only have a few permanent employees, but bring between 60 and 180 trainees into Anderson during its first year.
“They’ll be flying here for training, staying in local motels, eating at local restaurants, contributing dollars to the local community,” Bittner said.
IUOE Local 112 represents workers who do non-destructive testing on welding and pipe structures using X-rays and ultrasonic technology, according to Jim Kelly, business representative for Local 112.
“Most of our (work) deals with ... the chemical and petroleum industries,” he said.
Workers will get both safety training and new technology training.
Currently training operations are in St. Louis, Mo., and the union leadership chartered a new local to open the center in Anderson.
Another IUOE Local, 103, already operates a heavy equipment apprentice program at 4483 E. Indiana 67 in Chesterfield.
“We have nothing to do with them; they are hoisting and portable (workers),” Kelly said. “Those people will still be there.”
Local News
Union hall sells
Building will be training center for another union
- Local News
-
-
In a roundabout way
If all goes well, construction for a new roundabout at the intersection of Indiana 38 and County Road 300 West near Pendleton Heights Middle School could begin by the middle of next year.
-
Police: Woman set house fire, blocked exit
Police arrested a woman late Tuesday night in connection with a Saturday home fire.
-
Pendleton woman healing from brain injuries
Andrea Vellinga, the Pendleton woman critically injured during the Indiana State Fair stage collapse, continues to undergo medical treatment and therapy in Michigan.
-
Ban on Sunday motorcycle sales targeted
While advocates for Sunday carry-out alcohol sales have had a hard time making their case to legislators, opponents of another “blue law” may be on an easier road to success.
-
Measles cases pop up after Super Bowl
On Wednesday, the Indiana State Department of Health alerted public health officials in Massachusetts and New York that some of their residents may have come in contact with the rare but highly contagious measles virus when visiting the crowded Super Bowl Village in downtown Indianapolis.
-
Pleasant day for central Indiana
Expect a pleasant day for central Indiana. Mostly sunny skies with hghs around 40 degrees.
-
Poll question for Thursday, Jan. 9, 2012
Vote daily in The Herald Bulletin poll. Today's poll question can be found at the bottom
-
Anderson bank robbery case turned over to FBI
An investigation into the robbery of an Anderson bank Tuesday was officially turned over to the FBI on Wednesday.
-
Volunteers needed for Daffodil Days benefit
The American Cancer Society is looking for individuals, businesses and organizations to help with its upcoming Daffodil Days program.
-
Arrest log: Feb. 9
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Tuesday and Wednesday, based on Madison County Jail records.
- More Local News Headlines
-
