CHICAGO (WLS) — Hundreds of Pepsi employees are facing layoffs after the company decided to shut down its plant in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood on Monday.
Many workers, some with more than 45 years at Pepsi, reported that they arrived at work as usual, only to be told the facility was closing immediately, leaving them to return home with heavy hearts and uncertainty about supporting their families.
“No warning,” said former truck driver Eric Gadson. “None of that. We were blindsided.”
After 21 years driving for Pepsi, Gadson arrived at the 51st Street plant Monday and learned the closure was effective immediately. “I’m the only provider in my household,” Gadson shared. “My wife has MS, and my daughter’s about to start college next year. I can’t express what I’m feeling right now.”
With just nine years left until retirement, Gadson now faces the daunting task of starting over.
Pepsi issued a statement saying, “The decision to cease operations at 51st Street was difficult. The building, over 60 years old, has physical constraints. Our main priority is to support employees through this transition, and our commitment to serve Chicagoland remains strong. We’re working with union leadership to handle the closure details in accordance with legal requirements.”
Teamsters Local 727, representing plant employees, condemned Pepsi’s short notice as a “violation of the WARN Act,” which mandates 60 days’ advance notice for plant closures affecting 75 or more full-time employees, calling the company’s actions “disgraceful.”
At 58, Gadson shared his worries about the future. “Starting over at my age is tough,” he said. Despite the hardship, Pepsi will continue to provide pay and benefits until December, though Gadson said he will need to rely on faith to move forward.
“To my coworkers,” Gadson added, “sometimes when one door closes, another opens—and it could be a better path.”
Pepsi plans to meet with more employees on Monday afternoon to deliver the news, while the union is working to arrange further talks with the company on Wednesday.
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