Kaiser: Beware of unauthorized agents

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, July 21, 1999

LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / July 21, 1999

GRAMERCY – In the aftermath of the July 5 Kaiser explosion, area residents have been hit with the latest fallout – claims adjusters and insurance agents.

So much so that Kaiser Aluminum warned the public that the only company authorized to handle property claims arising from the incident is GAB Robins Insurance Adjusters. Also, Baton Rouge/Brown Claim Services Inc.has been hired to wash vehicles and replace broken windows.

Kaiser spokesman John Jennings said plant officials have heard reports of unauthorized people presenting themselves as agents authorized to complete repairs or settle property damage claims.

“We would very much like to notify the community of this unfortunate practice before it really gets out of hand,” Jennings said. “Unfortunately,situations like this bring all that out.”So far, nearly 600 vehicles have been cleaned by Kaiser authorized persons, and 80 commercial and residential windows have been replaced, Jennings said.

“It is taking us time to survey and evaluate the claims of structural damage, so we ask that people be patient with us,” he said.

Meanwhile, the investigation team from the Mine Safety and Health Administration has opened an office in Lutcher, as they seek the cause of the explosion.

The agents ask that anyone with information that may assist them in determining the cause of the blast call 869-9636. The office’s address is2277 Albert St., Lutcher.”They’re very methodical,” Jennings said of the MSHA investigators, adding they have no timetable to complete their investigation and make their report.

Kaiser is awaiting that report before making any determination on the plant’s future. “We’re looking at restoring the plant, at shutting it down;we’re going over all the options,” Jennings said.

However, Jennings saw it as an encouraging sign that Kaiser announced Monday they have offered a new proposal to the striking steelworkers, who have manned the picket lines since September, in an effort to get a speedy end to the labor action.

In letters faxed to the United Steelworkers of America and the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service, Kaiser has proposed an intensive two- week negotiating session, Aug. 9-20, at the end of which period Kaiserwould present “its best offer” for a new contract.

The proposal would also set a Sept. 3 deadline for the offer to be approvedby the union membership.

Jennings commented it would be good not to have that strike lingering while the plant’s future remains in the air.

That proposal came on the heels of a July 16 decision by the National Labor Relations Board to dismiss the union’s charges of unfair labor practices.

Wayne Stafford, president of USWA Local 5702, said Tuesday he hadn’t yet gotten confirmation from national union headquarters, and commented, “I don’t see it taking place the way it’s proposed.”Finally, three men remain hospitalized from the July 5 explosion, with Todd Landry still in critical condition from hot caustic burns over 70 percent of his body, according to the Kaiser spokesman.

Gary Gui and Wayne Robbins are in stable and improving condition, Jennings said.

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