Alcoa will cut 250 jobs at Hampton plant

Alcoa Inc., the largest U.S. aluminum producer, will cut 250 jobs at a plant in Hampton because of falling parts orders for industrial gas turbines.

The reductions represent about 24 percent of the 1,060 workers employed at the Alcoa Howmet plant, which is part of the company's power and propulsion division, spokeswoman Jean Moorman said.

Orders for gas turbines globally are down about 50 percent from a year ago because of the economic recession.

Alcoa also said it will temporarily idle production at its two smelters in Italy, affecting about 2,000 workers, after a decision by the European Union left the company's ability to secure electricity for the plants at low rates uncertain.