HUMBOLDT — A production shutdown at Monarch Cement Co.’s plant here has been pushed back to mid-January, Walter Wulf Jr., Monarch president, told the Register Monday afternoon.
“We thought originally the shutdown would be before Christmas, but we’ve had better sales with good (construction) weather, at least before today,” Wulf said.
“And it’s taken longer for us to complete some maintenance projects,” he said, noting that it made little sense to use overtime to do maintenance work so a layoff could start sooner.
When the production shutdown occurs, 15 of the company’s 85 employees will continue to work in shipping and plant support, such as electricians and other utility people, Wulf said. Those scheduled for furlough will be notified at least seven days in advance.
The shutdown, the first since a two-week layoff in summer 1983, is expected to last six to eight weeks, with the length depending on market forces.
Those furloughed will qualify for state unemployment benefits and employees who have been with Monarch 15 or more years will have sufficient supplemental unemployment benefits built up to ensure weekly compensation averaging about 80 percent of full pay, Wulf observed. Those who wish also could take vacation time and be paid regular wages, although they wouldn’t be eligible for unemployment benefits until vacation time was completed.
The last wintertime layoffs occurred in 1975 and 1976, also the result of weak sales caused by broad economic conditions.
According to the Portland Cement Association, market declines of the past several years have been the worst percentagewise since the Great Depression of the 1930s.
