A company that unloaded merchandise at five Publix Super Markets distribution centers, four in Lakeland and one in Sarasota, is laying off 168 employees after the grocer cut its contract with the company.
The company, Freight Handlers, notified state and local officials of the cuts in a pair of letters sent to meet federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act requirements.
According to the letters, Freight Handlers will no longer perform “third party unloading services” at the centers starting Sept. 19. “All affected employees have been notified of their separation date and that their separation from employment will be permanent,” the letter says…