ROANOKE, Va. - Railroad-car manufacturer FreightCar America Inc. announced Monday afternoon that it plans to suspend production at its Roanoke manufacturing plant when workers complete their current work orders, according to the Roanoke Times.
The Chicago-based company said in a news release it plans to impose temporary suspension of railcar production on a selective basis until the railcar market strengthens. It said operations might be extended if it receives additional orders but offered no additional information about that possibility.
Approximately 210 employees will be affected by the suspensions but it is unclear whether that constitutes the plants entire workforce.
It also remains unclear when the employees are scheduled to complete the work theyre doing now.
In January, FreightCar announced it would be laying off 120 Roanoke workers on or before March 14.
According to todays news release, operations at FreightCars Danville, Ill., plant will not be affected. Calls to FreightCars headquarters in Chicago were not returned and the companys automated switchboard said the business was closed today.
FreightCar initially leased the former Norfolk Southern East End Shops in downtown Roanoke and started operations in 2005.
(This item appeared April 14, 2009, in the Roanoke Times.)
Gee, Its a gawwd-dam shame the scabs lost the work they stole off the Brothers who used to work at Bethlehem Steel/Johnstown America/ Freightcar America in Johnstown, PA. The guys who bent over backwards to save the company that they and thier ancestors blood sweat and tears built from the ground up.
What goes around, comes around!! There are still some of us who remember just where the Bethgon and Coalporter were created and built.
-- Edited by Calvin on Wednesday 15th of April 2009 06:05:39 AM
