FAST Global Solutions, Inc., announced the need to furlough approximately 25 percent of the workforce in its Falls City location due to the slowdown in equipment orders as a result of the pandemic. Because this is a furlough, and not a layoff, the employees affected will be on an unpaid leave of absence for an expected 12 weeks with the goal to have everyone return to work.
“Unfortunately, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the airline industry continue to negatively impact our operations,” said FAST President and CEO Steve Hagstrom. “Our largest customers for our ground support equipment are not in a position to place the orders we expected for equipment and therefor we’ve had to make the difficult decision to temporarily reduce our workforce.”
Currently, in addition to standard unemployment benefits, the Federal Government has a program offering supplemental weekly payments. During the furlough, FAST will continue to cover the portion of benefit payments for which it is responsible.
FAST Global Solutions also produces conveyor and package moving equipment. Unlike the ground support market for airlines, this market remains relatively strong and the company is making efforts to grow this business to compensate for open capacity in its production.
