Latest news with #SarahClifton
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alabama-based processing plant lays off over 100, triggers legal investigation
Over a hundred Alabama plant workers have recently found themselves out of a job after a round of mass layoffs. AlaTrade Foods, a poultry processing company that focuses on deboning, trimming and sorting chicken, was founded in 2000. The company operates three plant locations in Alabama, in Albertville, Boaz and Phenix City. AlaTrade Foods, according to the company itself, processes 400 million pounds of chicken annually and is the largest 100% employee-owned company based in Alabama. According to the Alabama Department of Commerce, the Phenix City location laid off 165 employees, effective March 27. The reason for the layoff — as well as opportunities and resources for employees affected by the layoff — are unclear, as AlaTrade Foods has not responded to requests for comment. More: Alabama manufacturing plant to end operations after almost 50 years and lay off 200 The WARN act, a federal law passed in 1988, requires companies to notify workers in writing before mass layoffs. Specifically, companies with over 100 employees are required to provide a 60-day notice of significant layoffs or plant closings to allow workers to properly accommodate for the loss of work. The WARN notice documenting the AlaTrade Foods layoff, according to the Alabama Department of Commerce, is dated March 28, one day after the layoff was in effect. AlaTrade Foods' recent round of layoffs at its Phenix City location has sparked some investigation into their compliance with these policies. Strauss Borelli, a class action lawsuit firm, in a post dated March 31, announced that their firm is investigating a possible breach of WARN notice policies in this particular incident, noting that based on the law, they "believe AlaTrade Foods employees may be entitled to sixty days of severance pay and benefits." AlaTrade Foods has not responded to requests for comment about the timing of the WARN Act notification. Sarah Clifton covers business for the Montgomery Advertiser. You can reach her at sclifton@ or follow her on X @sarahgclifton. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Chicken processing plant lays off over 100 in Alabama
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Alabama manufacturing plant to end operations after almost 50 years and lay off 200
A nearly 50-year-old manufacturing plant in Alabama will be shutting down its operations in the coming month. Grede LLC, a metal casting company that manufactures automotive, commercial truck, and industrial parts, internally announced to its 220-member workforce in February that their operations at their Brewton, Alabama will be closing. A spokesperson for the company said that their operations in Brewton, which began in 1976, are closing because the facility hasn't been able to match its 'pre-COVID volumes.' All manufacturing operations are expected to end by the year's end, but a spokesperson for Grede said the facility will remain open for storage purposes. More: Justice Department ends investigation into rampant sewage problems in Lowndes County Though employees were notified in February of the company's plans, the WARN notice — postings required by federal law to notify workers before mass layoffs and plant closures — documenting the intent to close is dated April 1, effective May 22, according to the Alabama Department of Commerce. The WARN act requires companies with over 100 employees to post these notices 60 days in advance of action, but this notice predates the closure's intended date by only 52 days. Matt Hladki, chief administrative officer of Grede, said that the company sent the WARN notice related to the impending close of operations to the State of Alabama, Brewton mayor, and United Steelworkers on March 20, which would meet the federal requirements. The company confirmed that workers affected have been offered opportunities to transfer to other sites Grede operates or severance packages if they wish to leave the company. Sarah Clifton covers business for the Montgomery Advertiser. You can reach her at sclifton@ or follow her on X @sarahgclifton. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama manufacturing plant shutters operations after almost 50 years
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alabama plastic production plant to close, lay off over 100
Yet another Alabama production plant has announced its intent to close its doors. Berry Global Inc., a plastic manufacturing company that, as per their self-description on their website, creates 'packaging solutions,' was founded in 1967 and currently operates hundreds of global locations. The company operates two Alabama locations — a plant in Montgomery and a soon-to-be-closed plant in Lanett, which is almost 70 miles east of Montgomery, near the Georgia state line. According to the Alabama Department of Commerce, the Lanett location intends to lay off 112 employees, effective July 1. More: Alabama-based processing plant lays off over 100, triggers legal investigation The company explained in a statement to the Advertiser that its production from the Lanett facility 'will be integrated into existing facilities' in preparation for the closure. The company did not elaborate on a reason for the closure, though a spokesperson for the company did allude to relocation of affected staff to assist with the transition. 'We are grateful for our Lanett employees' service and dedication and will assist them in exploring other opportunities within our organization and the Lanett community,' a spokesperson for the company said. More: Alabama manufacturing plant to end operations after almost 50 years and lay off 200 However, this isn't the first time executive action from Berry Global has affected its Alabama staff. Originally, the company operated two side-by-side plants on Montgomery's Gunter Park Drive, but in 2019, it closed one of the plants and laid off 65 employees on account of declining sales of sandwich food bags. Sarah Clifton covers business for the Montgomery Advertiser. You can reach her at sclifton@ or follow her on X @sarahgclifton. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama plastic production plant to close, lay off over 100 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jackson Hospital introduces new community programs amid bankruptcy filings
Jackson Hospital & Clinic has been making moves to increase community outreach through new initiatives and programs, though news on the hospital's bankruptcy filings progress is scarce. The hospital's "The Stronger Together!" initiative, which the hospital says was "designed to strengthen hospital bonds with the community and demonstrate there is strength in unity," includes a series of events and activities focused on teamwork between hospital staff, community partners and donors. The first event was the "Clergy Faith & Fellowship Breakfast" on April 2, and the next "Stronger Together!" event is a showcase of unique services from different businesses in the area on May 15. Other new plans for community engagement include a future podcast that's focused on health education, as well as the hospital's 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, which will gather and analyze data to identify the community's most pressing health needs. In addition to this initiative and new plans, the hospital has re-launched "Walk With A Doc," a program in which area residents can walk with physicians at the hospital on the fourth Friday of every month and receive guidance on health-related topics as they walk. More: No changes at Alabama airport after diverted Delta passengers were held on plane for hours The hospital has been in financial hot water as for the better part of the past year. After defaulting on $60 million in bonds back in September, the hospital has pursued several measures to get out of their financial chasm, including introducing new management to restructure operations and finances and asking the City of Montgomery City to give them a $20.5 million guarantee on a loan that they "need to take until a final solution is made, which would be a permanent financial restructuring" after similar talks with Montgomery County failed. More: Anti-censorship group raises money to help Alabama library after pause in state funding After attempts to secure the loan failed, the hospital has been pursuing Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, and has been largely quiet since announcing these plans, aside from installing a new chief operating officer and chief information officer. 'We are making major strides in our restructuring, thanks in part to the support of all our allies,' said Jackson Hospital & Clinic CEO Ronald Dreskin in reference to the launch of the hospital's new programming. 'When we work together as a team, we can achieve the vision of a strong hospital partnering with our community to provide world-class, patient-focused care. And in the end, we all win.' Sarah Clifton covers business for the Montgomery Advertiser. You can reach her at sclifton@ or follow her on X @sarahgclifton This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Jackson Hospital introduces new programs amid bankruptcy filings
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
"Hazards everywhere": Krispy Kreme closed temporarily
Montgomery's sole Krispy Kreme has been temporarily shut down after claims of poor health conditions surfaced online and the state health department issued an emergency order. A representative for the donut company said that the location is closed for repairs due to "equipment malfunction." On March 31, photos of the hazardous conditions taken by an employee surfaced on Facebook. "Krispy Kreme is a total disaster. Hazards everywhere from a grease spill and the management won't close," read a statement from the employee included in the post. "She also forcing the workers to work in those conditions. The lobby is down only the drive thru is open. They are leading people in the blind and risking them getting sick because the manager doesn't want to close the shop for the PROPER CLEANING.' A Employee at Krispy Kreme Doughnuts on Atlanta Highway Montgomery, Alabama took these photos. In their words 'Krispy... Posted by JaMel Jermaine Brown on Monday, March 31, 2025 Hundreds of disgusted comments on the post claimed seeing evidence of the issue originating on Friday, April 28, when several customers tried to go to the establishment only to get turned away on account of the conditions created by the equipment issue. The Alabama Department of Health said that details on their end are limited at this point, but they are acting on the situation. "The Alabama Department of Public Health is aware of the conditions at Krispy Kreme (Montgomery) and the State Health Officer is issuing emergency orders to cease all operations until repairs are made," A statement from ADPH read. "The facility may not reopen until repairs and an inspection are complete." More: Free access to city of Montgomery data available on redesigned portal No clear timeline for reopening is publicly available currently. A representative for Krispy Kreme said that though there's no clear date, the equipment repairs are not projected to take very long. Sarah Clifton covers business for the Montgomery Advertiser. You can reach her at sclifton@ or follow her on X @sarahgclifton. . This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Faulty equipment temporarily shuts down Krispy Kreme
