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Komatsu announces layoffs at Peoria facility

By WEEK Reporter
February 27, 2013 Updated Feb 27, 2013 at 8:19 PM CDT

PEORIA, Ill. -- Komatsu announced Wednesday that they will be laying off workers at their Peoria plant.

In a statement, the company explained the layoffs are necessary as orders from global mining customers have slowed significantly.

Komatsu officials said the layoffs will be spread out over several weeks.

Dave Gullette, President of the Local Boilermakers Union 158 said the union has known the layoffs have been coming for quite awhile. He said the company has not released the exact number of affected employees, but will know how many workers be laid off in the first wave on Friday.

Komatsu officials expect the drop in orders to be temporary. As a result, the union is optimistic laid-off employees will be brought back when work picks up again.

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