Hundreds lose Hoover jobs

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/17018813.htm

Hundreds lose Hoover jobs
Only about 175 of company's workers will be left in Stark when factory is closed
By Jim Mackinnon
Beacon Journal business writer

Well before Monday's announcement, North Canton was preparing itself for the worst-case scenario.

The loss of struggling vacuum maker Hoover Co., its largest private employer, was not certain since its sale in late January to Techtronic Industries Inc. But jobs in the factory seemed vulnerable given the realities of disappearing manufacturing jobs these days.

Now those worst expectations became fact.

And a new use has to be found for the massive Hoover factory and empty downtown headquarters after Techtronic's announcement it will consolidate most Stark County operations to plants in Mexico and Texas. The North Canton factory operations will be phased out no later than September.

While there are about 1,000 Hoover jobs now in North Canton, the final number will be between 150 and 175 in Stark County, the company said. Some jobs will be shifted to Glenwillow in Cuyahoga County, the new Northeast Ohio headquarters for Techtronic's floor-care division. A small work force will remain behind at the Jackson Township distribution center and the bag plant in Canton.

Techtronic, also known as TTI, will continue to pay wages and benefits to about 800 workers represented by International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1985 through the end of their contract in June 2008. Salaried employees who are not offered jobs elsewhere will get severance packages that include help in finding new jobs.

``It's not a message we wanted to deliver, nor was it a message they wanted to hear,'' said Chris Gurreri, president of TTI Floor Care, after he met with employees Monday morning. Gurreri said the company's analysis showed there was no way to keep the North Canton plant open.

``This isn't (the employees') fault,'' Gurreri said. ``I love this work force. They worked their butts off for this company. We're going to help them out as best we can.''

FULL story at link.

[ben_meyers]

1. Well that sucks

Had to say it.

[tech3149]

2. Welcome to Hooverville

For those too young and poorly educated to get the reference, do some research on the republican depression of the late 20's and early 30's. We're not too far away from the same situation.