By Chris Spangler
Valero Services Inc. has informed state and local officials of plans for a “mass layoff” at its Jefferson Junction ethanol plant.
In a letter to Amy Pechacek, secretary-designee of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, and John Swisher, Johnson Creek village president, Valero Senior Vice President of Alternative Energy & Project Development Martin Parrish said that 61 of the 68 employees will be laid off between Friday, Oct. 15, and Monday, Dec. 6.
“The planned workforce reduction is due to the continued idling of this facility and is expected to be indefinite, unless and until market conditions significantly improve …,” the Oct. 4 letter stated.
It noted that there will be no bumping rights, and the affected employees are not represented by a union.
The letter also lists the affected positions, ranging from the plant manager, controller, accountant and maintenance technicians to process, scale house and shipping and receiving operators.
Located at W5289 Valero Way in the Town of Aztalan between Jefferson and Johnson Creek, Valero Renewables Jefferson formerly was Renew Energy and, for decades prior to that, Ladish Malt.
In December of 2009, Valero purchased the plant in a bankruptcy court bid of $72 million.
This marks the third announcement of area plant layoffs in as many months.
In September, Eaton Corp. in Watertown informed the DWD of its planned closing on Nov. 19, idling 56 employees.
And in August, Tyson Foods, operating as L.D. Foods Inc., announced it was closing its Jefferson facility on Sept. 16. That affected 62 jobs.
Located at W5289 Valero Way in the Town of Aztalan between Jefferson and Johnson Creek, Valero Renewables Jefferson has announced it will be laying off 61 or its 68 employees beginning Oct. 15.
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