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Swisher to lay off 250 in Jacksonville
 [JACKSONVILLE] Swisher International will lay off 250 employees in Jacksonville as it moves some of its cigar-making production from the city to the Dominican Republic. The company, the world's largest cigar maker, notified the employees on Friday that the layoffs will take place over the next 12 months.The action follows 150 layoffs last year. Joe Augustus, senior vice for global affairs, said several factors caused the decision. "We have established competitors bringing in cigars from offshore at a very low price," he said. "And we've got government regulation and taxation that increases the cost." When excise taxes were increased on all tobacco products in 2009, Augustus said Swisher had to raise its prices 35 percent to cover the hike. He said there will be discussions between management and unions over severance packages. News of the layoffs spread quickly among Swisher employees, even if they weren't at work yet. Posted by: Fred 2013-09-23 |
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