In spite of efforts from local officials to preserve jobs, Energizer Holdings announced it will proceed with phased closings of plants in Portage and Fennimore, according to a report from the Wisconsin State Journal.
In a statement, an Energizer Holdings spokesperson confirmed the closures: “Energizer Holdings recently met with representatives from Local 695 and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters regarding our intent to conduct a phased closing of our Portage and Fennimore facilities in Wisconsin. We have no plans to close additional facilities. As we work toward a final resolution in Wisconsin, we will continue to focus on our colleagues — the people closest to this issue and who matter most.”
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters had previously alleged that in closing the two plants, Energizer would be laying off nearly 600 employees who were Teamsters members. However, an Energizer representative disputes those numbers, noting that when fully staffed, fewer than 200 people are employed at the Portage location, and there are less than 600 workers even with the Fennimore plant factored in.
