A union representative is hoping layoffs at a local company are temporary.
F.L. Smithe Machine Co. on Old Route 220 laid off about 25 union members in the last two to three weeks, said Robert Miller, Pennsylvania's business representative for the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers.
Local Lodge 2348 President Harry Zeznanski said the layoffs will not stop at 25.
Miller said the layoffs were the result of a lack of work, because of the poor economy.
He said the union is hoping members eventually will get called back to work, and the company has given no indication that the plant is looking to close its doors.
A person who answered the phone after 5 p.m. at the company's plant said no one who could speak on the matter was available.
F.L. Smithe Machine Co. designs and manufactures envelope-making machines, according to its Web site at www .flsmithe.com.
The machine company is not the only local business to make cuts recently.
A business slump at Lumax left 40 employees jobless in September.
The privately owned and operated company at Chestnut Avenue and Fourth Street manufactures commercial, industrial and institutional lighting products and employed about 80 people.
A company executive said in a previous interview that the layoffs hopefully were temporary and that the owners had no intention of shutting down the business.
Miller said union members have recall rights and, if called back, would return to work in order of seniority.
Zeznanski said the products made at F.L. Smithe Machine Co. are expensive, and with the economic slump, sales are down.
''With the money crunch, nobody is putting money out there,'' he said. ''Hopefully we can turn this around.''
Mirror Staff Writer Amanda Clegg is at 949-7030.
