Pilgrim's Pride Lays Off Area Workers

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Timberville, Va.
Posted: 5:25 PM Mar 24, 2008
Last Updated: 8:48 AM Mar 25, 2008
Reporter: Michael Hyland
Email Address: mhyland@whsv.com

8 comments

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This is the last week on the job for more than a dozen workers at the Pilgrim's Pride plant.

One area family affected by the layoffs says that they were shocked by the news.

Of the 16 workers laid off at the plant, at least four of them are drivers. Pilgrim's Pride representative Karla Harvill says they are leasing that job to another company to cut down on costs.

Pilgrim's Pride has already closed distribution centers and processing plants in six states. However, Harvill says she does not know of any additional layoffs at this time.

The family of one of the drivers says some of these men have been with the company for more than 20 years, and that no help was given to find another job.

"Due to rising feed ingredient and fuel costs, we have been looking at ways to reduce costs," says Harvill in a statement. "We have offered a position to everyone affected somewhere else in the company."

Fortune Magazine announced Monday that they have declared Pilgrim's Pride one of America's "Most Admired Companies."

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Crystal Location: Dayton, VA on Mar 25, 2008 at 11:08 PM
I think that the pilgrim's Pride was very wrong in their actions. If they wanted to cut costs why get rid of the Live Haul drivers that have been there for over 20 years. Not even a thank you or a "Let us help find a job" Just c-ya wouldn't want to be ya. It is not fair and I think it was cruel. People spent their whole lives working for that company and all of sudden c-ya. This has happened way too much with poultry plants and it is time to STOP!!!!

Posted by: Steven Location: Stanley on Mar 25, 2008 at 06:19 AM
It is a shame not oce but this is the third time this has happned to Pilgrims Pride.There Pilgrims bought out Wampler then was,t long Pilgrims closed the doors at the Alma plant in Stanley.Then Timberville had a lay off few years ago know another one.How can this be a great company when you dont see Tyson Foods or other poultry plants laying off .This is a sad time when people getting layed off .I hope these people go to another plant and support them in there poultry plant and support Tysons or something like that.

Posted by: Patty Location: Broadway on Mar 24, 2008 at 08:20 PM
This is ashame a person works for a long period of time, & at the end you are just a number. There was not even a thank-you for a job well done, or was not a job offered for several employees. I realize that times are rough for these companies, but don't they realize it is tough for the poor person, too....THE RICH GET RICHER & THE POOR GET POORER...How true...

Posted by: lyle Location: broadway on Mar 24, 2008 at 07:14 PM
i gave this company almost 22 years of service---this is how i was repaid---no severance package--no other job offer with the company---just 2 weeks notice. i am 60 years old and now will have to start all over.

Posted by: pam Location: timberville on Mar 24, 2008 at 06:43 PM
what a shame for all the dedicated employees--this was very dirty of pilgrims---i heard these drivers were the best--very dedicated, honest and dependable---i won't be buying any more pilgrims chicken.

Posted by: cindy Location: broadway on Mar 24, 2008 at 06:26 PM
all the live haul drivers were dedicated employyes and gave 100 percent all the live haul drivers were dedicated employees who gave this company 100 percent--this is the thanks they get--kicked in the teeth--also---my husband was one of the drivers and he has not--and i repeat---not been offered another job with pilgrims---this was a lie.

Posted by: cindy Location: broadway, va on Mar 24, 2008 at 06:10 PM
there was no job offer made to my husband as of 6pm 3-24-08 by anyone at pilgrims pride. i stand by this---the spokesperson either lied or doesn't know what she is talking about. no offer has been made to my husband who was a live haul driver for 21 and one half years.

Posted by: Tim Location: Broadway on Mar 24, 2008 at 05:35 PM
Hey, this is how big companies work, doesn't matter how much you do for them or how long you work for them, at the end of the day, all you are is an employee, nothing more, they can always hire someone else! It's ashame, but its also business. It's much better to work for the small company or a family owned business, they will help you out more in the long run.

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