Small Workforce Eyed to ‘Preserve Crane Legacy Brand

Crane officials say the company will not be completely shutting down but 85 percent of the workforce will be laid off effective June 19.

Officials contacted workers by email late Wednesday to inform them that operations would be "winding down" but employees would continue to paid through June 19 and will continue to cover the share of group health insurance benefits through until June 30. Crane employs about 270 people.

Thomas O'Connor, CEO and chairman of the board at parent company Mohawk Paper, said about 15 percent of workers will continue operations at the Curran Highway plant.

Mayor Thomas Bernard said the email sent to employees on Wednesday created a high level of "uncertainty" about the future of the plant to local political and business leaders. However, he said his discussions with company officials had assuaged some of those concerns.

 Read the details on this story and more at iBerkshires.com