Major facility closures announced in Winchester, Hebron: When layoffs could begin

LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Facilities belonging to nationwide names in the technology and clothing markets in Kentucky are closing, and it could mean significant job losses for residents.

Notices of plant closures in Boone and Clark counties were announced on Thursday, July 10, by Pearl Interactive Networks and Levi Strauss & Co., according to the Kentucky Career Center. The notices were sent under the Worker’s Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act of 1988.

In Winchester, a facility on Bypass Road owned by Pearl Interactive Networks that currently employs 342 people will begin terminations on Sept. 10. Company leaders said in a WARN letter to the Kentucky Career Center that affected staff members would be able to apply for jobs at the same site when the company’s contract ends and a new owner takes over operations.

Pearl’s CEO wrote that the decision to close the site was made after a contract to provide services in support of the Contact Center Operations Program for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services was not renewed.

“Because of this, Pearl cannot predict the ultimate number of employment losses that will result, but if none of the affected employees pursue available opportunities to work for the new employer, there will be 342 employment losses,” Antwine wrote.

Leaders with Pearl Interactive wrote that a labor organization doesn’t represent the affected employees.

It has yet to be announced which employer will take over the facility in Winchester.

In Hebron, clothing retailer Levi Strauss & Co. announced that a distribution center would be permanently closing its doors, with layoffs beginning on Aug. 10.

346 workers employed at the clothing brand’s facility are anticipated to lose their jobs, according to a WARN letter from CEO Emily Knotes, although some employees will be able to apply for a job at a different location.

Some Levi Strauss & Co. workers are reportedly represented by Workers United Local 2550 and its international union, and officials said notices of the coming layoffs have been sent to various union leaders and other labor organization representatives, including Karen Sharp, regional director of Workers United Central Region.

More information about the WARN notices for these facilities and other prior notices can be found at the Kentucky Career Center website.