Dow Chemical begins latest layoffs
Charleston Gazette
May 9, 2008
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200805080136
By Sarah K. Winn
Staff writer
The previously announced layoffs at Dow Chemical Co.'s Union Carbide Corp. division in South Charleston have begun, a Dow West Virginia official said Thursday.
In a letter dated May 1, Dow said that it had begun its layoffs of the research and development jobs at the South Charleston Technology Park.
The letter was addressed to the Kanawha County Commission, South Charleston Mayor Frank Mullens, Charleston Mayor Danny Jones and a manager for Workforce West Virginia's dislocated worker services unit.
"It's nothing new," said Jim Guidarini, Dow's West Virginia site leader. "It's just informing local officials."
Attached to the letter was a list of the eliminated jobs with layoff dates. The list names 162 positions, with only 21 having 2008 ending dates. Only one job, an engineer specialist, has been eliminated so far, according to the list.
Most of the jobs' ending dates are Dec. 31, 2009.
In December 2007, Dow announced it would be cutting 150 research and development jobs in South Charleston by the end of 2009, leaving only 100 workers at the site. The cuts are part of a massive Dow downsizing since 2000 and will leave just 550 employees in the state.
Companywide, Dow is eliminating 1,000 jobs, or 2.2 percent of its work force, in what it calls weak-performing businesses.
After the announcement in December, the Mid-Atlantic Technology Research and Innovation Center said it would work to give displaced Dow researchers a new home. MATRIC already has hired more than 40 former Dow and Union Carbide scientists.
MATRIC was formed in 2003 and conducts chemical research for contract clients and for commercial startups that are spun into independent business. It operates in the South Charleston Technology Park building left vacant by Dow.
To contact staff writer Sarah K. Winn, use e-mail or call 348-5156.