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Several workers in the New River Valley will keep their jobs after all.
Last week CraftMaster gave 138 employees letters informing them the Christiansburg plant would be closing by December 31.
This week, employees got different news.
They were told the plant will stay open.
WDBJ7 has contacted the company's owner, Jeld-Wen, which has not returned any of our calls.
Employees tell us while they're grateful to keep their job, the back-and-forth makes them uneasy about the plant's future.
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Original story from Oct. 31
Workers are mad. This week CraftMaster in Christiansburg told them the plant will close by December 31st.
That means 138 people will be out of a job in less than two months.
The news surprised not only employees but also Christiansburg. The town manager says the shut down will have a major impact on the area.
All employees received a letter from the Jeld-Wen which bought CraftMaster earlier this summer.
The last sentence reads they 'wish you all the best in your future endeavors'.
According to employees, management told them if they work every day until the facility closes they will get a severance check of one week's pay.
Residents we spoke with say the bad news came at the worst time.
"It's terrible especially around the holiday season you know everyone is going to be strapped for money," says resident Ashleea Hypes, "It's already hard times right now so it's just gonna put everyone in a bind."
Employees were told the company may hold a job fair to help them get new jobs. But that's not official.
"It's sad to hear that 130 people are going to be looking for work," says resident Claudio Ibarra.
The shut down will impact not only these workers but all of Christiansburg. The town manager says they'll lose tax revenue from the company and laid off workers won't have extra money to spend at local stores.
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WDBJ7 has confirmed that the CraftMaster facility in Christiansburg will permanently close Dec. 31.
Employees from the day and night shift were called in by a Jeld-Wen representative Monday, and given the news. Click here to see a copy of the letter.
Jeld-Wen acquired the company earlier this summer.
The Christiansburg plant employs 138 people.
Christiansburg Town Manager Barry Helms said this closure will have a “major impact on the town.”
