The Mayor of Burlington says he’s confirmed the Case New Holland plant in town plans to lay off around one-third of its workforce. Mayor Bill Ell says he inquired about the layoffs after hearing rumors about them.
Ell says he did receive a letter that said the company would be laying off approximately 150 employees on July 2nd. Ell says slowing sales of backhoes and forklifts are the reason for the layoffs.
Ell says the city is not thrilled about the layoffs, but says they understand the company has to do what it can to make ends meet. The mayor says he has talked with some union members and there could be less than 150 layoffs when it all shakes out. Ell says he thinks there may be some negotiations going on with the union on the number of layoffs, but says he can’t confirm that.
Ell says his other concern is for the companies that supply parts to Case New Holland. He says so far no one has indicated there would be any problems, as those companies have other contracts as well. But he says it’s always a concern when there are a large number of layoffs.
Ell says the Burlington plant had employed around 446 people.
