job cutting

(Lancaster New Era - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) - Hurt by the plunging residential-housing market, Armstrong World Industries will cut 500 to 600 jobs across North America. The indefinite layoffs at five plants are needed to cope with "a significant downturn in our business," a company spokeswoman said today.
"It's an action of last resort. We certainly regret it. But the volume has declined too much for us not to take cost out," said spokeswoman Beth Riley. Four of the five affected locations make hardwood flooring, the Armstrong product that's most closely tied to residential construction and remodeling. The layoffs do not affect Armstrong's plant in Marietta, which makes commercial ceilings, or its plant in Lancaster, which is being upgraded so it can make a new kind of residential vinyl sheet flooring.
Armstrong will trim its work force at the five sites over the next 90 days. Hardwood flooring plants in Jackson, Tenn., and West Plains, Mo., will idle about 100 workers in mid-February. A vinyl flooring plant in Montreal will idle about 100 workers in mid-March. A hardwood flooring plant in Center, Texas, will idle about 100 workers in early May. A hardwood flooring plant in Vicksburg, Miss., will idle all 124 workers, also in early May.
Riley said it's impossible to predict when Lancaster-based Armstrong might recall the affected workers, saying that will hinge on when the market recovers. for full details on Armstrong World Industries Inc (AWI). Armstrong World Industries Inc (AWI) has Short Term PowerRatings of