The Associated Press reports that Blue Bell Creameries, reeling from revelations that it knew about listeria contamination of some of its facilities for two years, which resulted in 100 illnesses, including three deaths, and the recall of all its products in the US, plans to lay off 37 percent of its workforce.
According to the story, 750 full-time and 700 part-time employees will lost their jobs.
In addition, another 1,400 employees will be furloughed, and will receive a "substantial portion" of their salaries. "Employees essential to ongoing cleanup and repair efforts will continue working but have their pay reduced, Blue Bell said. Workers at distribution centers in 10 states will also be laid off."
The story quotes Blue Bell CEO and President Paul Kruse as saying that the decision was "agonizing," saying, "At Blue Bell, our employees are part of our family, and we did everything we could to keep people on our payroll for as long as possible. At the same time, we have an obligation to do what is necessary to bring Blue Bell back and ensure its viability in the future."
According to the story, 750 full-time and 700 part-time employees will lost their jobs.
In addition, another 1,400 employees will be furloughed, and will receive a "substantial portion" of their salaries. "Employees essential to ongoing cleanup and repair efforts will continue working but have their pay reduced, Blue Bell said. Workers at distribution centers in 10 states will also be laid off."
The story quotes Blue Bell CEO and President Paul Kruse as saying that the decision was "agonizing," saying, "At Blue Bell, our employees are part of our family, and we did everything we could to keep people on our payroll for as long as possible. At the same time, we have an obligation to do what is necessary to bring Blue Bell back and ensure its viability in the future."
- KC's View:
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The layoffs probably were inevitable. But I'd like to know how the senior executives who were supposedly in charge during this debacle continue to draw a paycheck?
