We welcome you to JobBank USA and hope your job hunting experience
is a pleasant one. We hope you find our resources useful.
July 16, 2008
All 933 Washington-based workers at a merging beverage distributor have received layoff notices, said a spokeswoman for Columbia Distributing Co. of Portland. But that doesn't necessarily mean they will all lose their jobs.
The notices were issued because Columbia is merging with two other companies -- Mt. Hood Beverage Co. and Gold River Distributing -- to form a new company, called CoHo Distributing.
Some layoffs will occur in the integration, which is slated to occur by early September, said Columbia spokeswoman Lindy Bartell. She said details on the number of layoffs may be available within several weeks.
"Columbia is no longer going to exist as a corporate entity, so those people will all be severed from the employer-employee relationship, and federal law requires they receive a layoff notice," said Bob Hughes, a program coordinator for Washington's Employment Security Department.
"Some could be rehired by the new entity -- all, one or none."
In a prepared statement, Columbia said Wednesday that "most employees will receive a position, but there will be some who won't as the companies integrate over the next few years. We want to be respectful of all involved and are waiting for the recommendations of internal integration teams before announcing any final details."
Email This Page!