With the holiday season right around the corner, Hubbell Lighting has announced that it plans to lay off 39 hourly employees in the upcoming weeks at its Christiansburg plant.

The company informed employees last week of the expected layoffs, which will nearly eliminate the second shift at its Christiansburg plant. It had originally been announced that the layoffs would affect between 25 and 50 hourly employees. Five salaried employees were laid off last week.

Penny Franklin, president of the Local 82160 of the International Union of Electronic/Communications Workers of America, told EverythingNRV.com Thursday night that 50 people were laid off at the beginning of the year and 17 were laid off this time last year.

"Right now we have between 280 and 290 employees compared to around 370 this time last year," said Franklin.

Franklin went on to say that the layoffs are expected to start Monday.

"The economy is affecting our business, just like everyone's elses," said Franklin. "We knew in advance about these layoffs, but you still hate to see them come."

As for how the layoffs will be handle, Franklin has no idea at this time.

"Things are very confusing right now and the company has been balking at our requests to meet with us on the layoff issues," added Franklin.

Management at the local plant referred all questions to their human resources department in Greenville, S.C. Those calls were not returned Thursday afternoon.

EverythingNRV will be following this developing story and will post further updates as they become available.

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written by Hubbell employee spouse, November 21, 2008

My husband is employed by Hubbell on 2nd shift, he drives 63 miles one way to get there from our home, times are tough right now, he just racked up a $4500 medical bill and missed 3 days work because of it, Insurance will pay 90% but even still the missed work and that 10% mediacal bill is bad enough with the holidays near, they missed last Friday for inventory, again without pay, so this news of more layoffs really has me worried, please pray for those that are affected by this that it won't get worse.

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Hubbell Lighting
written by Hubble supporter, November 20, 2008

Thanks, Mr. Grimes, and EverythingNRV.com, for the locale updates. Hubbell employment includes the locale's residents; many workers travel from several areas.

Hubbel Lighting, with much of the labor-force organized by Penny Franklin, (IUECWA) Union President, has always been pro-active for both the workers and the company.

I know many employees at Hubbell. They have worked hard; they are 'model' citizens. Their children have benefitted, from the educational-system that is 'tax-based,' to being allowed to have a 'decent' life.

I salute Hubbell as being one of the best employers, knowing that most any company has instances that do not make everyone happy.

Good, local employment. Important, needed products.

We need to save more Hubbell Lighting jobs; there's demand for their high-quality-controlled products. We need to make sure we 'order' from their corporation.

I salute Ms. Franklin. She has always supported the company, while bringing relevant issues to the forefront. The company and many employees have benefited from her 'thankless' efforts.

I know that she will give more information to your site, as it becomes available to her.

Let's support Hubbell Lighting's employees.

I wish the best for Hubbell and it's employees. It's going to recover! However, we want the current jobs to be retained, NOW. There must be a way...let's make sure our locale uses their products, for instance. Let's advocate 'Made In Virginia!'

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