Company says Eagle Crest, Brasada Ranch still healthy
From KTVZ.COM news sources
Klamath Falls-based Jeld-Wen Inc. confirmed Friday it has cut another 27 jobs in Central Oregon - this time not in wood products manufacturing, but the troubled tourism industry.
Brasada Ranch in Powell Butte eliminated 16 positions while Eagle Crest Resort west of Redmond slashed 11 positions, the company said.
Jeld-Wen officials say the travel industry is down 25 percent nationwide, while locally, people are having shorter stays, and spending less.
A company official stressed that neither resort is in jeopardy of closing, and noted that the two combined still employ 226 people.
Still, the cuts are tough news for workers, coming just a few weeks after 20 Jeld-Wen wood products workers in Bend, temporarily laid off earlier this year, were told those workforce reductions were permanent.
A Jeld-Wen spokeswoman provided this statement to NewsChannel 21 about the layoffs:
Statement
October 30, 2009
Today Brasada Ranch eliminated 16 positions and Eagle Crest Resort 11. Combined, the resorts still employ 226 people. Although this reduction in workforce is a necessary action, it was not our first response to the extended economic challenges facing the travel and recreation industries. Each resort first focused efforts on improving efficiencies and curbing non-essential expenditures. While these efforts have helped, a reduction in the size of our workforce is another necessary step.
Despite the slight reduction in our workforce, both resorts will continue to offer excellent customer service associated with our overnight lodging accommodations, world-class golf and other resort amenities.
To help our employees through this time, we are engaging the services of NextJob, a national re-employment company, headquartered in Bend. Their employment coaches are skilled in helping job seekers use the latest technologies and job search methods. Brasada and Eagle Crest employees will be able to take advantage of this personalized service at no charge to the employee.
