Reading, Pennsylvania-based Penske Logistics has indicated it plans to close its terminal in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The move will result in the layoffs of 80 workers, most of them drivers.
A company spokesman said the closure is in response to a “recent local trucking contract termination.” The layoffs are scheduled to begin when the contract runs out July 20, according to the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) that it filed with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development on May 18.
The WARN Act requires employers with 100 or more employees to provide 60 days’ notice of a possible plant closing or mass layoffs.
“All affected employees have been notified of their separation dates and have been told their separation from employment will be permanent,” Penske said in the WARN notice.
The notice goes to say there will be no “bumping” rights for any of the affected employees, meaning none of them can displace another company employee somewhere else by virtue of seniority or some other perceived hierarchical advantage.
However, in an email message to The Trucker, a company spokesman wrote: “This required WARN notice was issued by Penske Logistics in response to a recent local trucking contract termination. As we have extensive trucking operations, Penske Logistics is working to identify other potential employment opportunities for these employees at other locations within the company once this contract concludes July 20.”
The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
They probably are losing the contract because of the trucks are to slow you can’t run the speed limit and have all these lane departure and sensors for following to close 63 on foot and 65 on cruise if your lucky its a damn shame