Dallas — Nearly 40% of the people who worked for Blue Bell Creameries was laid off as the company tries to get its ice cream back on shelves after a massive national recall.
According to the news release, the company laid off 1450 employees (750 full-time and 700 part-time).
Fourteen hundred more will be furloughed.
In all, this represents about 37% of the company’s workforce.
Blue Bell said the layoffs were unavoidable because of the time it would take before it can once again start producing and selling ice cream.
Cleaning and improving the company’s four production plants located in Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama would take longer than originally expected, according to a released statement.
Three people have died, and another five have been sickened by Blue Bell ice cream contaminated with listeria.
Blue Bell’s CEO Paul Kruse said in a statement, ““The agonizing decision to lay off hundreds of our great workers and reduce hours and pay for others was the most difficult one I have had to make in my time as Blue Bell’s CEO and President. At Blue Bell, our employees are part of our family, and we did everything we could to keep people on our payroll for as long as possible. At the same time, we have an obligation to do what is necessary to bring Blue Bell back and ensure its viability in the future. This is a sad day for all of us at Blue Bell, and for me personally.”
