Longtime Blue Bell Employees Crushed By Layoffs, Furloughs
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FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM ) – Thousands of layoffs and furloughs are impacting people who work at Blue Bell distribution centers in North Texas.
"I just liked to work at Blue Bell, I guess, that was the first job I ever had since I got out of high school, and I been there since," said Jeanette Miles. She was laid off after working at Blue Bell for 34 years.
Miles' 3:30 a.m. to noon shift packaging ice cream at a local Blue Bell creamery ended Friday night.
"Everybody hugged each other when we left today, very upset and stuff," said Miles.
Additionally, 160 workers were furloughed and 12 were let go at a distribution center near Heritage Trace Parkway and Harmon Road.
Blue Bell creameries closed in April 2015 after listeria was discovered in the ice cream. Shortly after, the company announced nearly 1500 layoffs and another 140 furloughs.
"I am impressed they were able to hold on as long as they have," said Michael Braun, a professor with SMU's Cox School of Business. "Had they tried to hide the problem, had they decided to rush back, then some of that credibility would be eroded."
Braun said it's difficult for a big company like Blue Bell to pay its bills without creating any revenue. But once the company starts making ice cream again, Braun said its serious approach to the problem should help retain customers.
"Had they tried to hide the problem, had they decided to rush back, then some of that credibility would be eroded," he said.
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