Coronavirus impact: Hundreds of new layoffs are planned

More Ohio employers are reporting plans to temporarily lay off workers Wednesday, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues its economic stranglehold.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services made public several new WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notice) notices Wednesday, including two manufacturers in Sidney who will temporarily idle a total of nearly 190 workers.

Ultimate Home Services, a flooring installation company, will lay off more than 60 people across six locations, including Moraine, that company said.

CORONAVIRUS: Complete Dayton Daily News coverage 

In Shelby County, Ross Casting and Innovation is looking at temporary layoffs of nearly 170 workers. Gissing North America, in Sidney, plans 120 layoffs, the company told Ohio government.

“The layoffs are expected to be temporary, having resulted from the downstream effect of OEM (original equipment manufacturers) pulling volume due to COVID-19,” Gissing North America said in its WARN letter to the state. “Because of the uncertainty of the situation, however, we are providing this notice designed to comply with federal law.”

FACE MASKS: Small local companies are stepping up to meet a huge need

Both companies noted that they could not comply with requirements to provide notice of 60 days before the layoffs because of how swiftly the economy has shrunk in recent days.

Auto parts suppliers and allied manufacturers have been especially hard hit. American auto manufacturers, based here and abroad, have shut down operations recently as consumer demand retreated and workers expressed concern about exposure to COVID-19 on factory floors.

About the Author