Cat plans one-week shutdowns, sheds more temps
Paul Gordon of the Peoria Journal Star reports temporary shutdowns in its East Peoria and Pontiac, Ill., plants next year.
These temporary shutdowns, which would bring production and demand into line while putting more than 1,200 workers on temporary layoff, would follow a one-week shutdown the first full week of January at the company’s plant in Pontiac, a UAW official said.
It also follows Caterpillar’s decision a couple of weeks ago to begin reducing its contract workforce at its Peoria-area facilities and this week at its plant in Decatur, affecting a few thousand employees of companies that contract with Caterpillar to do a variety of work.
Caterpillar declined comment on the planned temporary layoffs at Buildings SS, NN and LL in East Peoria – all part of the track-type tractor business unit.
More cuts reported in the Associated Press:
Caterpillar Inc. said Tuesday it was severing ties with more contract workers as the machinery maker continued a cost-cutting drive amid difficult economic conditions.
The company started notifying agencies that employ the workers in Decatur, Ill., where Caterpillar has a factory, said Jim Dugan, a spokesman for the firm. He declined to specify how many workers would be affected.
The Decatur plant produces three types of machines, including large off-highway trucks used in the mining industry, motor graders used for leveling ground and wheel tractor-scrapers used in construction.
More of the same from a paper in a small town on the northeast coast of England where Cat builds articulated dump trucks.