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July 21, 2020

Virus prompts layoffs, furloughs at warehouse

IMAGE | Courtesy Primeline.com Alphabroder | Prime Line sells promotional and customizable products. The company notified the state it has had to lay off and furlough workers due to the pandemic.
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

A company that sells customizable promotional products via its website notified the state that it has laid off or furloughed 255 workers.

Alphabroder I Prime Line said the impacted workers were located at the company’s warehouse at 1100 Boston Ave., Bridgeport.

Alphabroder and Prime Line merged in late 2017. The merged company sells an array of customizable products, such as clothing, drinkware, housewares, office supplies and writing instruments.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the company had branched out to offer products such as face masks and personal protective equipment, but the move didn’t prevent the need for workforce reduction. 

Marilyn Caraballo, human resources director for the company, notified state and local officials of the staffing changes in a July 17 Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act letter.  

According to Caraballo, starting on March 20, the company began implementing permanent terminations and temporary furloughs at its Bridgeport location. 

In March and April, it terminated a total of 82 employees, and those actions are expected to be permanent. 

Additionally, the company in April placed 173 employees on temporary furlough. At the time, the company hoped to return employees from furlough within six months, according to the letter. 

“At this time, however, it seems likely that furloughs will extend beyond six months, and the company is providing WARN notice to affected employees and the state and local government units,” the letter said.

Caraballo indicated the company made the staffing moves due to “unforeseen business circumstances” caused by the pandemic. 

“Due to the unforeseeable nature of COVID-19 and the unanticipated impact the pandemic has had on the economy and the company specifically, the company has experienced a substantial and rapid decline in order volume,” the notice states.

The impacted workers had an array of roles with the company, with most of those impacted being machine operators, packers, and warehouse material handlers. 

Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.

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