FOX 6 WBRC | Fayette plant closing would cost 119 jobs

Fayette plant closing would cost 119 jobs
By Kelvin Reynolds | FOX 6 WBRC | September 12, 2012

Fayette, Ala. (WBRC) -

An Alabama clothing plant is going to close soon, losing jobs not to overseas labor, but to prison labor.

American Power Source is an apparel company in Fayette County where workers make clothing for the U.S. military. The plant could be out of business by the end of October when its contract with the federal government ends.

Workers there sew military uniforms. They recently learned the government is giving its business to workers in federal prisons. A total of 119 people could lose their jobs if nothing changes.

The plant has been in Fayette for 12 years. Most of the employees make minimum wage. Officials at the plant say they can't compete with the wages paid to inmates who will do the same job for much less. That's as little as 23 cents to a $1.15 an hour, according to the plants' operation manager.

Some workers said they're the sole provider for their families and finding work is difficult. It's especially hard for one woman who is in her 60's and worries about finding work elsewhere.

"I can't believe it. I can't believe prisoners are getting our jobs. We need our jobs too. I'm getting too old to find a job. Ain't nobody going to hire a 60 year-old woman," Elloweace Stripling said.

Workers and city leaders in Fayette are mounting a letter and fax campaign to save the plant.

They are contacting federal legislators like Sen. Richard Shelby and Congressman Robert Aderholt to see if something can be done to keep those military contracts coming.

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