New York Chocolate & Confections Co. laid off its 40 hourly plant employees on 3/27. The layoffs come as the company waits for a visit this week by officials from the Ivory Coast government and cocoa board. One reason for the visit is to correct an impression on the part of some officials that the plant is old and run-down. The visitors are also expected to approve or deny funds that will pay off the plant’s overdue bills. ...

The plant owes money to National Grid and more than $400,000 in taxes and fees to the city of Fulton and Oswego County.

The company said in a press release that the layoff is temporary. Fulton mayor Daryl Hayden said he’s not surprised by the layoffs. “It was just a matter of when. I don’t think anyone’s shocked. The company’s been on the borderline for a long time,” he said. Before the layoffs, the plant employed 75 workers total.

“I think the people here mean well, like (CEO) Jean-Claude Amon and (plant manager) Jerry Lamphere. I think it’s difficult for them to deal with the people on the Ivory Coast, because they’re so far away and some different people have become involved there,” he said.

March 31, 2006 Update

There have been new developments regarding the fate of New York Chocolate and confection in Fulton. Delegates from the Ivory Coast visiting the plant say they’re impressed by the qualifications, dedication, and the performance achieved by the staff and the plant workers in rehabilitating the plant.

While no final decisions have been made, the delegation expressed its concern and the urgency for paying the salaries and wages due to all employees next week, calling back all hourly workers laid-off as soon as the funds are transferred; and scheduling the payment of all money due to creditors including city, county and school taxes.