Perdue Farms Cutting Jobs at Southern Indiana Facility
Nearly 300 workers at a turkey processing facility in Southern Indiana will soon lose their jobs, according to a WARN notice filed with the state.
Perdue Farms Confirms Layoffs in Washington
Perdue Farms has announced that 293 employees at its Washington, Indiana, facility will be laid off in October. The plant currently employs more than 750 workers.
Why Perdue Is Cutting Jobs
Perdue blames the layoffs on changes in consumer demand and a decrease in turkey flocks. The company said it would eliminate the second production shift at the Washington plant to improve “operational efficiencies.” The move will leave only one shift in operation at the facility.
What the Layoffs Mean for Workers
According to Perdue, impacted employees will not have the option to displace junior workers at the facility or at other company plants. A Perdue spokesperson reportedly said in a statement that a decision like this is not something that they take lightly.
The layoffs are expected to be permanent. Under federal law, large employers like Perdue are required to give at least 60 days notice for plant closures or mass layoffs.
In 1988, Congress passed the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act to provide workers with sufficient time to prepare for the transition between the jobs they currently hold and new jobs. It also provides protection to workers, their families and communities by requiring employers to provide 60 days notice in advance of covered plant closings and covered mass layoffs. This notice must be provided to either affected workers or their representatives (i.e. a labor union), to the state Workforce Transition Unit and the appropriate unit of local government. - Indiana Department of Workforce Development
Other Indiana Operations Remain Unaffected
Other Perdue operations in Indiana—including a feed mill, hatchery, grain receiving facility, and breeder farms have not been affected.
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