A Canton metal company has announced plans to close its facility in 2018, which will result in more than 300 layoffs, according to employees.
Tim Lynn, president of Steelworkers Local 9094, confirmed the announcement on Tuesday afternoon. He stated a letter was sent to him, detailing the expected lay offs of 339 employees with the expected closure of the Maple Ave. facility in early 2018.
My husband has worked for union metal 24 years and losing his job pic.twitter.com/w51BkK0H3N
— Kimberly mercurio (@Kimberlymercur8) December 19, 2017
"Guys like myself that have over 20 some years, you hate to look for a job in your 50s and 60s," Lynn said in an interview with WKYC Tuesday afternoon.
Lynn said there was discussion back in September over financial issues related to the company, but he didn't think a closure announcement would follow just a few months later.
"We kept having meetings with the company up until last Tuesday when we got served with the WARN Act which says they’re going to close the plant in 60 days."
WKYC reached out to representatives with Union Metal and the city of Canton for comment but have not heard back from officials.
"It couldn't be at worst timing," Rocky Palmer said when referencing the notice that was given to employees just a few weeks before the Christmas holiday. "This is all we know. We’re here everyday. It's just difficult."
But the steelworkers are still holding onto hope that something can be done.
"If we could at all bring a Christmas light to this and have a new owner or somebody to look at us, it would be a great thing," Lynn said.