Bradford Dyeing Association, Inc. announced last week that it is discontinuing its manufacturing operations in 60 days. As a result in 120 workers losing their jobs.

The Westerly-based textile plant has supplied fabric to the U.S. military for more than 40 years. Earlier this year, BDA stated it would lay-off one-third of its employees for reasons such as disagreements with union leaders and rising fuel costs.

This time around, however, the main reason behind the lay-offs is described as a dispute with the agency responsible for military purchasing. That agency was later identified as the Defense Logistics Agency by Chip Unruh, press secretary for U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I.

By ANDREW MARTIN

Bradford Dyeing Association, Inc. announced last week that it is discontinuing its manufacturing operations in 60 days. As a result in 120 workers losing their jobs.

The Westerly-based textile plant has supplied fabric to the U.S. military for more than 40 years. Earlier this year, BDA stated it would lay-off one-third of its employees for reasons such as disagreements with union leaders and rising fuel costs.

This time around, however, the main reason behind the lay-offs is described as a dispute with the agency responsible for military purchasing. That agency was later identified as the Defense Logistics Agency by Chip Unruh, press secretary for U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I.

According to Unruh, Reed has met with management from BDA and is in constant communication with the agency to resolve the dispute. Although BDA President Michael Grills was contacted, he did not provide any further comment at this time.

BDA's press release stated that "all of the other issues that plague manufacturers at this time have forced Bradford to issue this announcement." Such issues include the aforementioned rising fuel costs.

On the state level, Sen. Dennis L. Algiere, Dist. 38 (Westerly, Hopkinton), recognized the significance of BDA closing its doors. "It is certainly bad news for the area. We've had a number of plant closures and businesses closing and scaling down in the past year … like Charbert and Paragon," he added.

Algiere continued: "As a legislature, we are concerned about this and the continued increase of unemployment. The unemployment rate is 8.5 percent in the state, but I can tell you it's higher than that." 

And just as he did when those two companies and others shut down, Algiere has contacted the state Department of Labor and Training to help out those BDA employees who will no longer have jobs. 

Algiere said officials from the DLT and the state Economic Development Corp. will work together to re-train or train former BDA employees. Also, the workers will be assisted with obtaining benefits and understanding which benefits they are eligible for.

"This [program] has been successful in the past … and we are hoping to get the DLT down here soon," Algiere said. "But the economy is tough and these people are going to have a tough time finding new jobs. I hope they can."