Hitachi’s Harrodsburg plant temporarily lays off 120 workers

HARRODSBURG, Ky. (WTVQ) – More than 100 people are off the job after a major employer in Harrodsburg announces temporary layoffs.

Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc. says the ongoing United Auto Workers strike with General Motors is forcing it to temporarily lay off 120 employees. The Harrodsburg plant supplies more than 30 General Motors plants, 16 of which are in the United States. The Harrodsburg plant also supplies several other automobile manufacturers.

The company says during the first week of the strike, it offered employees the opportunity to take vacation time or voluntary unpaid time off in hopes there would be a quick end to the strike and there would be no need for the temporary layoffs. It says when the strike continued, it had no choice but to temporarily layoff workers on some of the General Motors lines.

Hitachi says the affected employees will still receive benefits and it will be providing whatever assistance it can to help them receive unemployment benefits.

The company says as soon as the strike is over, it will bring all the laid off employees back.

The Harrodsburg plant has 1,000 employees still on the job. Hitachi says its plant in Berea will not be affected by the strike because it produces different automotive parts.