Half of workforce laid off at Dexter automotive parts manufacturer

DEXTER, Mo. -- Employees at EMCON Technologies, the Dexter area's largest employer, have been continually impacted by recent economy setbacks, but perhaps never quite as drastically as this month, with the announcement last week of temporary cutbacks for nearly half the employees that currently make up the local plant's work force.

Employees have been informed that layoffs will be effective in part Friday, with additional layoffs coming May 15, for the local assembly lines that manufacture and distribute exhaust systems for GM trucks and GM's light vehicle systems for the auto industry.

While local management had no comment on the current layoff situation, EMCON's union representation was willing to explain the circumstances that are affecting local EMCON employees.

A union spokesman from the local plant explains that employees were notified last week of the pending layoffs.

"As of today (Monday), 191 employees will be laid off," the union representative stated. "While just a handful of workers left their jobs Monday, several more layoffs will be in effect this Friday, and the remainder of the nearly 200 will be laid off after next Friday's workday."

"The intention right now is to call those employees back to work following the July shutdown. That's their game plan."

EMCON historically shuts down the local plant entirely over the first two weeks in July. The union spokesman indicated that the majority of the current layoff force would be back to work when the plant reopens on Monday, July 13.

Members of the local United Autoworkers Union met Tuesday in Sikeston to discuss layoff plans, according to the local representative.

Along with union workers from within the plant, employees say that a "substantial" number of salaried staff members are also in line to be part of the massive layoffs this month. As of Tuesday, those employees had not yet received notification of their pending off-time.

"Right now, everything is contingent upon the outlook for the sale of 2010 models coming out in September," the union spokesman further explained, referring to the plant's intention to get back into production in mid-July.

The decision by General Motors to shut down the majority of its U.S. production for several weeks this summer, coupled with Chrysler's recent announcement of reorganization under Chapter 11 bankruptcy, accounts for the grim prospect of May and June production feasibility.

The local EMCON plant, which experienced layoffs earlier this year amid the auto industry's financial turmoil, has been working with a staff of about 430, the plant's union representation stated. The present cut represents nearly half of that number and will affect nearly all production lines within the plant. When EMCON is in full production, a total of about "800 plus" make up the work force.

The Dexter plant has been running two shifts of late, and that practice is expected to continue, according to union spokesman.

EMCON, with headquarters in Columbus, Ind., produces emission systems for General Motors, Chrysler, Ford and Harley Davidson, with General Motors being its primary source of business. The Dexter plant has been the area's leading employer for over 30 years.