Bemis lays off 25 people in Terre Haute

The Tribune-Star staff report

Staff report
The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE - A union spokesman confirmed Friday evening that an additional 25 layoffs have been announced at Bemis Co.

Gary Soote, President of Unite Here Local 1426, said the most recent cuts are targeted at salaried workers in the lab, graphic arts and training divisions.

The company cut 63 hourly jobs and accepted 70 voluntary layoffs in November.

"What the company's explaining to us is that corporate is tightening up and things are getting rough," Soote said.

Some of the hourly workers laid off in November have been called back, he said, noting the production demand is up and down.

Soote, a 16-year employee who operates a press, said he's been fortunate to have never been laid off himself.

But still, with many of the company's customers facing tightened demand, the sluggish economy hurts everyone.

"We're in for a long haul," he said, predicting it will be a couple years before things get much better.

Bemis Company employs about 740 union workers and between 150 and 200 salaried, he said.

"Bemis supplies a lot of people good jobs," he said. "Everybody needs a job."