Rendell calls out Sunoco for "unconscionable" layoffs

    By: Tom MacDonald

    Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell is upset that Sunoco is making millions in profits, but still cutting workers. The Philadelphia-based oil company says its making the cuts to stay profitable.

    By: Tom MacDonald
    tmacdonald@whyy.org

    Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell is upset that Sunoco is making millions in profits, but still cutting workers. The Philadelphia-based oil company says its making the cuts to stay profitable.

    Transcript:
    Sunoco has decided to cut 750 white-collar non-union jobs in what they call a business improvement initiative. Governor Rendell says he doesn’t understand the move or its timing, especially with Sunoco earning three quarters of a billion dollars in profits last year.

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    Rendell: “At this time in the economy to lay off 750 people in the name of efficiency when you seem to be running a pretty efficient company is unconscionable.  There is no question about it, particularly  for a company whose mission statement [says] that part of their mission  is to do the right thing. This is not the right thing.”

    The governor says he hopes Sunoco will cancel the terminations. But a company spokesperson says Sunoco has to make the cuts to protect the jobs of the rest of their employees.

    Listen:
    Click on the play button below or right click on this link and choose “Save Link As” to download. [audio: reports20090319gov.mp3]

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