Drastic road commission layoffs
MANCELONA -- A Northern Michigan Road Commission is laying off 72% of it's workforce.
The Antrim County Road Commission says rising fuel prices, road materials and health care costs led to the layoffs.
These work trucks sit idle Wednesday after 21 employees were given pink slips.
Burt Thompson, Antrim County Road Commission manager says a small work crew of eight remain on the job.
Thompson says, "We'll be doing bare minimum maintenance, basically any emergency work. If the workload dictates we can call back crew to accomplish work. We will be out there to give a minimum level of safety to traveling public."
The layoffs are expected to save the road commission $320,000. Laid off employees will be called back to the job in six months for the start of the winter season.
