The Michigan-based vinyl pipe manufacturer began laying off employees November 15, and issued a statement in December saying there was a raw material shortage that lasted longer than anticipated.
Twenty-five displaced workers filed the suit last week in US District Court in Paducah, saying they should have been notified at least 60 days ahead of layoffs under the WARN Act. Approximately 120 people eventually lost their jobs and could be included in the suit.
When the company finally gave notice in January, they said the layoffs fell under a loophole in the WARN Act, when public notification could hamper a company's ability to secure funding to stay open. The lawsuit claims this isn't true and that the exceptions don't apply.
The lawsuit requests certification of a class for the plaintiffs, a jury trial, and back pay or benefits spelled out by the terms of the WARN Act.
Attorney Wes Sullenger, who represents the plaintiffs, told WKMS that Genova has twenty days to respond to the suit, which was filed February 3. He said the court process usually takes about a year for cases like this.
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Lawsuit - former Employees vs. Genova ProductsWKMS Story
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