Walker County: Roper laying off 120

LaFAYETTE, Ga. — Roper Corp., Walker County’s largest employer, will lay off about 10 percent of its work force on March 30, company officials said Wednesday.

Employees were told “the continuing global economic downturn and resulting low volume and slow orders from customers” forced the company to cut production.

“I was very saddened to hear this,” said Walker County Commissioner Bebe Heiskell. “We worked with them a few months ago to keep their plant open for the next 11 years, but that didn’t assure they could keep all the jobs open.”

The 120 workers furloughed follows a similar move in December, when the General Electric subsidiary announced temporary layoffs of 250 workers.

Those layoffs took effect in early January, and none had been recalled at the time of Wednesday’s announcement, officials said.

“We recognize that being placed on temporary lack of work is very disruptive to the lives of our employees, but it is necessary to keep the company competitive in this dire economic environment,” Roper president Scott Ossewaarde said.

He thanked Roper workers for their “understanding, cooperation, flexibility and support,” and said, “If further actions are required, we will adapt accordingly.”

The workers were selected by first asking for volunteers, and then by seniority. They may apply for unemployment benefits through the Georgia Department of Labor, and the company will pay for health care and other insurance premiums for up to three months.

In the event that the lack of work remains necessary for longer than three months, the employees will be able to pay for their health care and other insurance premiums at the normal employee rate for up to nine additional months.