People are talking about orthopedic companies laying workers off locally, from Tecomet to DePuy Synthes.
When reached out for comment Friday about 82 union workers - and possibly some non-union workers - being laid off from DePuy Synthes through March, a spokesperson from DePuy Synthes said, “As the world’s largest, most diversified healthcare company, we are constantly assessing ways to be more innovative and competitive. We are evolving amidst a rapidly changing environment and as our supply chain stabilizes our network is adjusting production requirements. As a result, DePuy Synthes is changing its operating model at our manufacturing site in Warsaw to better align with current business needs. We recognize the potential impact to our employees because of these changes and are committed to providing them with the appropriate support.
“Our manufacturing site continues to be a strategic site for our DePuy Synthes business.”
As of Sunday, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development does not have any Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notifications (WARN) listed for any company in Kosciusko County since LSC Communications closed its Warsaw facilities in June.
In 1988, Congress passed the WARN Act to provide workers with sufficient time to prepare for the transition between the jobs they currently hold and new jobs, according to the Department of Workforce Development website. It also provides protection to workers, their families and communities by requiring employers to provide 60 days notice in advance of covered plant closings and covered mass layoffs. This notice must be provided to either affected workers or their representatives (i.e. a labor union), to the state Workforce Transition Unit and the appropriate unit of local government.
This story will be updated when and if more information becomes available.