GASTONIA, N.C. — Daimler Trucks North America is notifying workers at its plants of potential layoffs, including at the plants in Mount Holly, Gastonia and Cleveland in Rowan County.
Company officials wouldn't confirm any numbers on Tuesday, but several worried employees reached out to Eyewitness News, saying they were told it could be up 80 layoffs at the Gastonia plant, 400 at the Mount Holly plant and 600 to 700 at the plant in the town of Cleveland.
Other sources said they heard the same numbers.
It's a scary thought for businesses close to the plants.
Tommy's Drive-In is just up the road from the Gastonia Freightliner plant.
"It's sad," assistant manager Jonathon Simpson said. "It really is."
He said about 30 percent of their business is from the plant, including a big order on Thursdays.
Waitress Michelle Davis said a big round of layoffs would hurt.
"We would notice the difference," she said. "We would."
"It's disappointing, not only for our city but for Daimler," Mount Holly Mayor Pro Tem David Moore said by phone. "Hopefully it's a temporary thing."
"I'm so sorry to hear that," Mount Holly councilman Perry Toomey said by phone. "Certainly our town will be impacted by any layoffs that Daimler might have."
Last fall, employees at the Mount Holly plant were forced to take a week off work without pay because of decreased demand for trucks.
Davis said the potential layoffs make her worry about some of her regulars.
"It's potential layoffs," she said. "They're losing everything."
Eyewitness News reached out to the local chapters of the United Auto Workers union. Local 5286 in Gastonia said it cannot comment until Damiler officially notifies the state about its plans.
The company expects to release more information on Thursday.
WSOC
