Armstrong Industries Ponders More Layoffs at Its Lancaster, Pa., Floor Pla

[UpInArms]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/national/8173600.htm

Mar. 11 - Another large layoff might be looming at the Lancaster floor plant of Armstrong World Industries, threatening an estimated 175 jobs.

Armstrong has told employees that it might stop making commercial tile flooring there, due to weak demand and high production costs.

Armstrong said it will decide the fate of the commercial tile department by the fourth quarter of this year. Production could stop as soon as 2005.

If Armstrong does so, about 175 of the plant's 700 hourly and salaried jobs could be eliminated, a union official estimated today.

<snip>

About 380 of Local 285's members are age 50 or older, many on the brink of qualifying for retirement, he said. They would struggle to find jobs elsewhere that pay near their current average hourly wage of about $18.50, he said.

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[bluestateguy]

1. Oh, dear Karl

More unemployed workers in an election year in a swing state. What ever shall you do?

[Momof1]

2. My area of PA

Has had 4 major companies close down and go to China or India in the last 2 yrs. I don't think there is any way that * can win PA in November.

[The Zanti Regent]

3. The Beaver Falls PA Plant had massive layoffs too

It was converted to a ceiling tile construction plant and laid off 2/3 of its workers several years ago.

Sad to see Pennsylvania take another double hit. Soon the whole state will be nothing but one big Wal Mart

[ramapo]

5. How long can the Wal Mart pyramid scheme work?

Build a Wal Mart. It creates construction jobs. Hire clerks (part-time only). More jobs. They earn enough to shop at Wal-Mart (if they're lucky).

Build another Wal Mart....

[madrchsod]

4. not alot of need for

commercial tile when there`s fewer offices being built and there`s a wider selection of flooring available that also decreases demand for commercial tile. another industry that is slowly going away and will never come back..i know what these guys feel like,i`ve worked in two industries that never came back.

[readmylips]

6. I lived in Lancaster years ago...

it's a beautiful town. The Amish people are great people. We left Lancaster because if you didn't work for RCA, JohnDeer, Armstrong, NewHolland Technologies, you just didn't have a job. RCA closed down totally and moved their plant to Camden, NJ, and they are on their last leg too.

[Palacsinta]

7. I live in Lancaster........

There was a time that a job at Armstrong "guaranteed" that you were set for life.........of course, greedy trial lawyers and the asbestos-related lawsuits are to blame for Armstrong's demise. (Lancaster spin)

(Thanks for saying Lanc's a beautiful town! It is.)

[Astarho]

9. And unfortunately

many of those people will STILL vote Repub.

But at least the countryside is beautiful (I grew up in the Southern End).

[Postman]

10. I love the Lancaster area...

my wife and I travel there frequently for the countryside views, shopping and dining.

BTW, ever been to Shady Maple Smorgasboord in East Earl? Great place to eat.

[Palacsinta]

11. Ever try "The Country Table"?

740 E. Main St. Mount Joy, PA.........where a lot of the locals eat. (Closed on Sundays, of course!) My parents make it a point to stop there for dinner on their way to visit me.

Yes, I've eaten at Shady Maple......yummy! There's a reason we Lancaster Countians are so roly-poly!

Glad you like the area!

[modrepub]

8. Why

is this in the Miami Herald? Lancaster is a nice area of PA. One of the few counties showing moderate growth. Very conservative and the anchor of the Republican "T" so important for the party to carry the state; the Dems dominate the southwest and southeast portions of PA. Would like to see the reaction if they announce closure near the election and begin packing up equipment for shipment to China. Lucent did the same for its plants in Reading and Allentown. Those sites had thousands of good paying jobs. Very sad. I knew a couple of people who held on long enough to turn out the lights when they are done...