NC plant begins laying off workers in Hickory

CHARLOTTE — Workers at a North Carolina cable systems plant are being laid off, as part of a plan announced earlier this year.

The Charlotte Observer reported Tuesday that Corning Cable Systems plant in Hickory is eliminating about 200 jobs as it closes its optical assembly plant.

Company spokesman Dan Collins said Monday the Hickory plant should be closed by the end of the year. But he said most of the layoffs will occur in the first quarter.

Collins would not say how many people are working at the plant, but he said the cuts represent up to 15 percent of the company’s approximately 1,400 workers in the Hickory area. He said some workers can get other positions in the area.

Collins says the cuts come because of declines in the market.

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