TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Workers at the Jostens plant in Topeka say they are surprised by news that the plant will close and move its work to Tennessee.
The company announced the move Monday, affecting 372 jobs. It says the move to Clarksville, Tenn., will help it become more efficient.
The Minnesota-based company, which makes yearbooks, class rings and other products, has been in Topeka since 1969. It has been moving jobs and production out of the city for several years.
Still, The Topeka Capital-Journal reports many workers say they were surprised by Monday’s announcement because they believed the plant would not close for at least a year or two.
Union president Mike Vannordstrand says the union is negotiating a severance package for bargaining unit employees, which includes those in the production department.
