Pawtucket toymaker Hasbro Inc. said yesterday that it wanted to cut a third of its work force at a factory in Ireland because of overcapacity.About 140 jobs would be eliminated at the plant in Waterford, where Hasbro makes board games and toys for sale in Europe and elsewhere.
European Union laws require companies to propose the job cuts and then negotiate with employees over workplace issues.
Those talks are under way, said Wayne Charness, a Hasbro spokesman, adding that there was no timetable for completion.
"Our facility there is too big," Charness said. "These moves are necessary."
The company has not indicated whether it will cut jobs at its operations in Pawtucket or in East Longmeadow, Mass. Hasbro, the nation's number-two toymaker, employs 6,000 people worldwide. Most of its products are made by third-party manufacturers mostly in Asia.
In 2004, Hasbro laid off about 125 workers. The job cuts came in a number of divisions, including toys, games, international and corporate. About 90 people lost their jobs in Rhode Island, the majority in Hasbro's toy group. That same year, Hasbro closed a manufacturing plant in Valencia, Spain
Thanks to Projo.com for the original article
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