(The following story by Sean Bailey appeared on the Times Tribune website on May 20, 2009.)
CORBIN, Ky. — Twenty-seven employees of the CSX locomotive shop in Corbin learned Monday they would be furloughed for an indefinite amount of time.
CSX spokesperson Garrick Francis said the furloughs are a result of the economic downturn plaguing businesses across the country.
Francis said the railroad transportation company which has tracks throughout the eastern portion of the United States has furloughed 2,400 people company wide and has had to put 30,000 cars in storage since the economy began to sag.
“It’s tough out there,” Francis said, “…We, as business conditions get better, are hoping to b able to call them back to work.”
Francis said the 27 full-time employees in Corbin will remain on call if business turns up again, as it often does seasonally.
In the meantime the employees furloughed will still have four months of health and wellness benefits, Francis said.