YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Youngstown-based trucking company Falcon Transport has reportedly closed its doors in the aftermath of the Lordstown General Motors plant's closure.
According to The Vindicator, the company shuttered the doors at its Belmont Avenue location Saturday.
A company official reportedly sent a text message to its 550 employees announcing the closure, saying Falcon Transport would be shutting down immediately. The employees were told to cease any ongoing work, and that they would not be expected to return, The Vindicator reports.
Rep. Tim Ryan tweeted about the closure Sunday morning:
The congressman and Democratic presidential candidate released a statement about the closure Sunday night, criticizing the Falcon's parent company CounterPoint Capital partners.
"“This is another example of how our system is rigged. It’s infuriating that this economy continues to gut working class wallets while management attempts to cut their way to prosperity. It's short-sighted, it’s shameful, and it’s wrong. The private equity firm that owns Falcon Trucking has left its drivers stranded all over the country, without explaining when or whether they will get their paychecks. These employees put in years of hard work and deserve to be treated like the hard working Americans they are. The President told these people not to sell their houses. What now? This economy isn’t working for ordinary Americans working hard and playing by the rules. We need to start putting people first. We need a big change in America. I will be reaching out to the U.S. Department of Labor, State of Ohio, and local agencies to see what kind of assistance can be offered to our workers during this difficult time.” said Ryan in the statement.
According to The Vindicator, Falcon Transport was a major provider for General Motors, whose Lordstown plant ceased operations in early March and ended jobs for 1,500 workers.