ROANOKE, Va. (AP) — FreightCar America Inc. plans to lay off 168 Roanoke employees.
Media outlets report the company revealed its plans in a recent letter to Virginia officials.
The layoffs will take effect between April 17 and May 17. The announcement says the plant will release 87 welders, 72 fitters, six leaders and three painters. The announcement doesn’t include the total number of employees at the site.
Representatives of the Chicago-based manufacturer blamed the layoffs on a drop in orders for railcars, its main product.
Roanoke City Mayor Sherman Lea tells WSLS (http://bit.ly/2kS9YTr) that the city will use the Virginia Employment Commission and local job placement organizations to help employees affected by the layoff.
FreightCar America declined to comment to local media.
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