Square D to lay off 31 workers
Square D employees were informed Friday that 31 people will lose their jobs at the plant as of Jan. 5.
Plant Manager Mark Henning sent an e-mail to all plant employees Friday explaining the situation. He said a forecast from the company’s sales and marketing group showed “a significant reduction in volumes across the residential circuit breaker business.”
“This reduction in business also means we are faced with the unfortunate need to adjust our staffing levels to align with the 2009 business levels,” he wrote.
Henning, who started at the plant only a couple of weeks ago, could not be reached for comment.
Jerry Gulizia, president of Local 2366 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, said the union’s contract allows people to volunteer to be laid off. After that number is determined, he said, the company will then involuntarily lay off workers with the least seniority.
Henning’s letter said more information on the layoffs would be made available to employees on Monday.
Gulizia said business at the plant, which makes circuit breakers, has been down for some time, and employees have been working short weeks.
Square D, which is owned by French company Schneider Electric, has had several job cuts since 2002, when it employed about 700 people.
As of Friday, Gulizia said there were about 260 union workers at the plant and an undisclosed number of salaried employees.
Plant Manager Mark Henning sent an e-mail to all plant employees Friday explaining the situation. He said a forecast from the company’s sales and marketing group showed “a significant reduction in volumes across the residential circuit breaker business.”
“This reduction in business also means we are faced with the unfortunate need to adjust our staffing levels to align with the 2009 business levels,” he wrote.
Henning, who started at the plant only a couple of weeks ago, could not be reached for comment.
Jerry Gulizia, president of Local 2366 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, said the union’s contract allows people to volunteer to be laid off. After that number is determined, he said, the company will then involuntarily lay off workers with the least seniority.
Henning’s letter said more information on the layoffs would be made available to employees on Monday.
Gulizia said business at the plant, which makes circuit breakers, has been down for some time, and employees have been working short weeks.
Square D, which is owned by French company Schneider Electric, has had several job cuts since 2002, when it employed about 700 people.
As of Friday, Gulizia said there were about 260 union workers at the plant and an undisclosed number of salaried employees.
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