I work for Stihl Inc at the American production facility in Virginia Beach. Like the title says, everyone got a text at 11:52 am telling everyone that work was done for the day and wouldn't be started again until Monday.
When employees got to the time clocks to punch out they were told they were being furloughed for 2 to 16 weeks due to operational adjustments and were escorted of the property by police. Almost everyone at the production plant are effected. Many have been told they are out for 16 weeks and others are waiting to hear. I and others are lucky we are in the warehouse loading outbound trailers.
The company is offering 2 weeks pay and continuing to cover our insurance as well as offering bonuses for employees that come back. So that's something.
The thing is this wasn't a surprise. We've known for years they were over producing units that just weren't selling. The warehouses have been dangerously over filled for a year. Complete OSHA violation stuff.
Over 1000 employees are effected. All because some overpaid directors wanted to see the numbers go up.
The real kicker in my opinion was the company got a half a million dollar grant from the city less than a year ago to expand a building because Stihl does such a good job at job creation and retention.