LAPLACE — More than 350 employees are without a job following today’s mass layoff at Bayou Steel in LaPlace, which is confirmed to be shutting down Nov. 30, according to a statement from Parish President Natalie Robottom.

“Today we learned that the Bayou Steel Group was closing its LaPlace Plant effective November 30, 2019. This will affect approximately 376 employees,” Robottom said in the statement. “The closure was not expected and the timing relative to the holidays is disappointing for everyone. We are obviously very concerned for the families involved and our community.”

Former employees said the layoff came without warning. The company has not publicly released a reason for the sudden layoffs, though more information is forthcoming.

“The plant is a large employer in our Parish as well as a means of income for those bringing materials to the site,” Robottom said. “Based on feedback from some of the employees, many of them are devastated and unprepared.”

Parish administration is working with the Louisiana Workforce Commission and other state agencies to address the situation.

“Our collective goal is to develop a plan to assist those who were laid off in the near future,” Robottom said. “There is a conference call scheduled shortly and more information will be forthcoming.”

L’OBSERVATEUR is awaiting a call back for more information.

Bayou Steel Group LaPlace headquarters produces and recycles steel products. Located at 138 Highway 3217, Bayou Steel was founded locally in 1979. The first mill was commissioned in the same spot several years later, and recycling operations began in 1995.