A Oscar Mayer plant in Madison will apparently close in early 2017, a move that could affect hundreds of jobs. In a staged process over the next 12-24 months, production in these locations will shift to other existing factories in North America.
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Kraft Heinz said Wednesday that it will be eliminating 2,600 jobs and closing seven factories.
The other factories that are closing are in Fullerton and San Leandro, Calif; Federalsburg, Md.; Campbell, New York; Lehigh Valley, Penn.; and Madison, Wis.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, mirrored Soglin’s sentiments and said the the city will employ the resources available at the county, state and federal level. “It’s like a death in the family”, he said.
The company, co-headquartered in Chicago and Pittsburgh, formed from the merger of Kraft and Heinz earlier this year.
Mayor Paul Soglin tried to see a positive in the timing of the closure, noting the city has emerged from recession.
“I am devastated for the hard working men and women of the greater Madison area that have given their professional lives to Oscar Mayer”, said Sen. “They’ve been part of the east side for 100 plus years”, Richter said.
Pat Schramm, the executive director of the region’s workforce development board, said a rapid response plan will be launched to get workers into new jobs. A union official says more than 1,200 workers are now employed at the downtown plant, which dates back to 1946.
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“Our members are scared of the unknown”, said Jerry Messer, president of the Davenport chapter of the United Food and Production Workers, which represents employees. U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison said his office is prepared to help workers who qualify for trade adjustment assistance.
