Laid off Pryor workers continue Christmas tradition

Some Green Country workers who've lost their jobs are still moving ahead with a Christmas tradition. <br><br>Nearly 400 union workers at the Grede Foundry in Pryor lost their jobs when the plant shut

Monday, December 17th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Some Green Country workers who've lost their jobs are still moving ahead with a Christmas tradition.

Nearly 400 union workers at the Grede Foundry in Pryor lost their jobs when the plant shut down. Despite that, the workers decided to continue their annual toy drive for needy families one last time. The union members rang up $3,000 in toys; most of it is their own money.

It's a shining moment at a time when things are getting tougher for the former workers. Lonnie Salyers with United Steelworkers local: "The health care providers in this area are tellin' us that they can't file any more claims, pharmacists and stuff are saying they can't honor our insurance and then we've met on our severance package and still we're gettin' nowhere on that."

For now, they say they're only thinking about getting presents to every child on their list. And for at least one last time, they'll provide some happy moments this holiday season.