Lehigh Cement Co. said it will lay off 54 of its 90 local employees in Glens Falls, N.Y., as a result of a slowdown in construction projects throughout the region caused by the coronavirus pandemic, reported the Times-Union.
The company plans to discontinue most of its cement making at its Glens Falls plant, as well as operations at its quarry in Moreau, said David Dreyer, the plant manager.”
The layoffs are expected to be temporary and will take effect over the next two weeks,” Dreyer added. “Lehigh will begin paying 100% of affected employee’s health insurance upon layoff and is providing assistance in applying for unemployment and other layoff-related benefits.”
The construction sector had the third greatest number of workers filing for unemployment benefits in the week ending April 4, according to New York State Labor Department data. Statewide, 38,993 workers filed unemployment insurance claims. Only accommodation food services and retail trade saw greater numbers of workers filing claims.
“We look forward to the day when our nation’s health is no longer at such risk and our customers’ demand for cement products returns, so we can welcome our employees back and resume full operation,” Dreyer said.
Operations at other Lehigh Hanson sites throughout the U.S. are also being scaled back due to the ongoing pandemic.
