Omya Inc. cutting 10 jobs in Florence
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BY Cristina Kumka STAFF WRITER - Published: May 15, 2009
PITTSFORD — Omya Inc. eliminated 10 positions at its Florence calcium carbonate processing plant Thursday due to the "general state of the economy," according to company spokeswoman Linda Pleiman.
The company, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, eliminated a total of 28 positions in three locations – four in California, 10 in Vermont and 14 in Canada.
Pleiman said the cuts were made in various departments and the positions would not be refilled. However, employees didn't leave empty-handed.
"The company is very fair with their employees and they will all receive a severance package," Pleiman said. "These are very difficult decisions that we had to make, and we do it with a great deal of thought before we make any reduction or any changes."
The last round of layoffs at Omya occurred in March, when seven Vermont positions were cut.
Before the March layoffs, the company employed 215 people at its office in Proctor and plant in Florence. It now employs 190.
Tom Donahue of the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce said he spoke with the Florence plant manager Thursday. Donahue called eliminations an "international decision that affects us in our own back yard."
"There is nothing we can do at this level," Donahue said.
"We (the Chamber and the Rutland Economic Development Corporation) do quite a bit to retain employers … our mission and our goal is to make these businesses successful here."
Donahue said he would welcome anyone who lost his or her job Thursday to sit with him in his office to find a new one.
He said he didn't get the sense, from his conversation with the plant manager, that Thursday's round of eliminations was a sign of what's to come.
"This was 10 people and that's it … there is nothing more to worry about at this moment."
For more information on the work of REDC, the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce or job opportunities available in the area, go to rutlandvermont.com.
cristina.kumka@rutlandherald.com
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