Ash Grove Cement Co. announced layoffs Wednesday at its Durkee plant in Eastern Oregon and eight other factories around the nation. The Durkee plant, the largest private employer in Baker County, will lose 68 of its 115 employees, Ash Grove said.

"It’s devastating to Baker County," said Fred Warner Jr., Baker County commission chairman. "These are 68 really good jobs. It’s going to hurt the community."

Companywide, the shutdown will hit 500 of the company’s 2,800 employees. The Kansas company is the largest U.S.-owned maker of cement. Company officials said they had no schedule to resume manufacturing, but they will continue shipments from cement stockpiles built up in recent months.

Source: Oregan News
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