KME: 70 employees let go in restructuring

KME has revealed the number of employees who were let go in a restructuring completed on Monday.

In a social media post the firetruck manufacturer said 70 employees were separated from the company.

The employees represent less than 15 percent of its total workforce. KME Vice President and General Manager Brian Connely said the decision was made in order to stay competitive in an ever-changing market.

The affected workers were employed at the company’s Nesquehoning and California facilities.

Pennsylvania CareerLink has announced a meeting for the affected workers to assist with filing claims for unemployment compensation. The meeting is scheduled from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. for Friday at the Nesquehoning Recreation Center, 335 W. Railroad St., Nesquehoning.

PA CareerLink staff will be available with general information regarding Unemployment Compensation and how the PA CareerLink and other community partners can assist those workers in their re-employment efforts.

Further meetings may take place if needed.

Workers can file claims online at www.uc.pa.gov starting on Sunday, by phone at 888-313-7284, or using phones located at any PA CareerLink office. The Carbon County office is located at 69 Broadway in Jim Thorpe.

KME’s post from Tuesday: “KME remains committed to our people and the community. Our focus is on KME employees, customers and our dealer network. On the forward path to improvements and future growth, we completed an employee restructuring event yesterday. This included the separation of 70 employees, less than 15% of KME’s workforce. This restructuring affects people and while change can be difficult, this change allows us to improve in many areas. KME is moving forward and continuing to improve with these changes. We are laying the foundation for growth and success for our people. KME Works For You.”