WORKPLACE : Hughes Agrees to Pay for Holiday Shutdown of Its Fullerton Plant

After screaming “Scrooge” last week, union workers at Hughes Aircraft in Fullerton this week got what they wanted for Christmas--at least from the company.

No, Hughes isn’t going to change its mind about the plant’s fate. As previously announced, it will close by the end of next year, resulting in the loss of 6,000 jobs. But the good news for the 1,000 or so union workers at the plant is that they will get paid during the companywide holiday shutdown next week.

According to workers, Hughes management had initially told the Carpenters Union that its members wouldn’t get paid because they recently voted down a contract proposal. But labor and management came to an agreement, enabling union workers to get the same holiday pay benefit that they and other salaried employees have long enjoyed.

Most likely, this will be the last Christmas at Hughes in Fullerton. “People are trying to get into the holiday spirit,” said Scott Sechman, a technician.

Sechman, 40, is one of dozens of people who recently received layoff notices. His last day is scheduled to be Feb. 3.

“This is probably going to be the last good one,” Sechman said of Christmas. “We’re going to go all out this year for the kids.”