More Layoffs At Cat

Caterpillar Inc said they are laying off an additional 2,110 workers, bringing the total to 22,000 , Reuters reported. The announcement brings the worst week for Cat employees since the mid-1980s, when the Peoria, IL-based company was losing $1 million a day and slashing jobs.

The production employees affected by the latest cuts work at three plants in Illinois — in Aurora, Decatur and East Peoria — that make wheel loaders, hydraulic excavators, off-highway trucks, track-type tractors and pipelayers. Also included in the layoffs the company said 416 support and management employees in Aurora, Decatur and East Peoria were also being laid off.

The company said the layoffs would begin on April 13. Caterpillar recently reopened its order book and invited big customers and dealers to cancel or postpone some orders. The company was reported to be stunned by the huge response.