28 maintenance employees were laid off by Watkins and Shepard Trucking in both Missoula and Fontana, California on Wednesday, July 20.

The following is a press release from the Public Relations Department of Schneider Trucking:

"Watkins & Shepard announced on Wednesday, July 20, that its Maintenance facilities in Missoula and Fontana will close effective immediately. The closure will affect approximately 28 maintenance associates across the two locations.

We regularly assess our maintenance locations to ensure we have a cost-effective and business-efficient network of facilities to meet the needs of our customers, drivers and business. After careful review, our existing network of company and third-party facilities will be able to provide the needed maintenance support.

Watkins & Shepard is grateful to our maintenance associates in Missoula and Fontana for their many contributions. We will, as always, take care of associates in a way consistent with our core values. More specifically, we will provide outplacement services and transitional separation packages to the affected associates."

Schneider, which acquired Watkins and Shepard in June, 2016, is based in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

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