Dexter Axle Layoffs Are Permanent

Dexter Axle Company is providing notice pursuant to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (“WARN”).

The company has announced it: “made the difficult but necessary decision to wind down and permanently discontinue all current operations at its facility located at 199 Perimeter Road, Monticello…by March 31, 2023. This decision was made following a drastic and unexpected reduction in orders for products manufactured at this facility,” the announcement said. “This action is expected to be permanent in nature and affects non-union and union-represented employees.”

The document received by the Development Authority of Jasper County, last Thursday, Jan. 26, goes on to say:

“Dexter currently employs 67 total union and non-union employees at the facility. All positions at the facility will be permanently eliminated in waves beginning January 9, or 14-days thereafter, and continuing through March 31. A schedule for all job eliminations is not known at this time.

However, Dexter will provide each affected employee (directly or through their union representative, as applicable) with as much notice as is feasible under the circumstances. Additionally, all affected employees will have an opportunity to receive pay and benefits continuation for 60 days.

Calls to Dexter Axle in Elkhart, Ind., were not returned on January 9 when many of the employees were told of the closure…and the newspaper was looking for answers. At that time, the closure was considered temporary with a reassessment set in six months.