the Walmart distribution center in Plainfield will not reopen after a massive fire destroyed the building in March, jeopardizing the livelihoods of more than a thousand of its workers.
The closure of the fulfillment center could impact the jobs of 1,132 employees, who have not yet accepted other positions with the company, according to a Walmart notice filed with the Labor Development Department. -Indiana Labor.
The distribution center, at 9590 Allpoints Parkway, was too damaged to reopen in the foreseeable future, in Walmart’s opinion.
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The company provided disaster pay, a paid job search period and training, and held a job fair for the 2,089 employees who had worked at the distribution center since the March 16 fire.
As of April 22, up to 957 fulfillment center employees had accepted new roles within the company, according to the notice. Employees who were not informed that the distribution center was closing on April 1.
Hourly employees will have until July 1 to decide whether they want to continue their employment with the company in an alternate position – salaried employees will have a July 15 deadline, according to the notice.
“We expect the resulting terminations to be permanent,” the notice letter said. “There is no union delegate, right of recall or bumping. However, all Separated Associates may apply for open positions in other Walmart or Sam’s Club locations, including distribution and other facilities.
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About 350 firefighters and 30 fire departments, along with other community partners, helped fight the blaze at the 1.2 million square foot facility. It sent plumes of thick smoke into the air, visible for miles away.
At the height of the fire, 23 engines and 13 ladders were working, according to a Facebook post from Plainfield Fire Territory.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives continues to investigate the cause of the fire.
Contact Jake Allen at [email protected] Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Allen19.
