Newport company temporarily laying off 119 employees due to Helene flooding

NEWPORT, Tenn. (WATE) — One East Tennessee company is temporarily laying off its employees as a result of the flooding from Hurricane Helene.

Eastern Plating, LLC filed an official WARN Notice with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development about the temporary layoff on October 1. The notice explains that the layoffs are due to Hurricane Helene and the flooding it brought. The company is on Chemwood Drive in Newport. Overall, 119 people will be laid off.

“At this time, the company does not have a full assessment of the extent of the damages suffered and, therefore, is uncertain about the duration of layoffs,” reads the WARN Notice.

The East Local Workforce Development Board’s rapid response team will be working with Eastern Plating and the impacted employees to coordinate services according to the WARN Notice. The board will also be responsible for the continued follow-up of Rapid Response and Dislocated Worker services available to those impacted.

The WARN Notice added employees do not have bumping rights and are not represented by a collective bargaining agreement. This means the employees cannot be “bumped” into another position.

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Several areas across Cocke County flooded when Helene passed through East Tennessee. Thousands were without fresh water when Newport Utilities pumping station flooded. The water service was out for nearly a week . In addition, several homes and businesses were flooded. Images following the flooding show downtown Newport’s streets covered in water .

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