SOUTH MILWAUKEE, Wis. —
Caterpillar Inc. says it is placing about 260 production
employees at its South Milwaukee plant on indefinite
layoff because of weaker demand for mining equipment.
The layoffs represent about a third of the more than 800
workers represented by the Steelworkers union at the
plant. The layoffs go into effect June 24.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the layoff
notices come just three days after members of United
Steelworkers Local 1343 ratified a six-year labor
contract.
Caterpillar says the Peoria, Ill.-based company earlier
announced plans to lay off production employees at the
plant. The company says customer orders for mining
equipment made at the plant are weaker than they were a
year ago.
Caterpillar says the layoffs will bring production in
line with demand.
