Company will lay off 220 workers in January as it works to close plant.
New Process Gear has notified New York state that it plans to lay off 220 workers in January.DeWitt, NY -- New Process Gear Monday notified the New York State Department of Labor that it will lay off 220 workers in January as it continues drawing down its workforce before closing the auto parts plant.
The division of Magna Powertrain has said that it will close the DeWitt plant that makes transmission parts next year, although it has not yet given workers an exact date.
The job cuts will take place from Jan. 17-30, according to paperwork filed with the state.
Earlier this year, the company told the state that it would lay off 100 workers in October, and 107 in November.
The plant employs about 1,100 workers who make transfer cases that turn two-wheel drive vehicles into four-wheel drive.
At its height of production, the sprawling plant employed 4,000 workers in 2002 when sport utility vehicles were at the height of their popularity.
Magna announced last year that it was closing the plant after United Auto Workers Local 624 three times rejected a contract that cut wages and benefits, which the company said it needed to keep the DeWitt plant open.