Madison, WI– U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) released the following statement after Oscar Mayer announced it was closing the company’s plant and corporate headquarters resulting in the loss hundreds of jobs:

“This is a devastating blow for the Oscar Mayer workers, their families and our local economy. Oscar Mayer was a source of good paying jobs and a valuable asset to Dane County. I am deeply concerned for the hundreds of employees and their families who have just found out they can no longer expect to come to work at this facility as they have for many years now.

“Since Heinz took over Kraft and Oscar Mayer, their commitment to the corporate bottom line over the interests of individual workers and the communities they live in has, unfortunately, been repeated across the country. Given the company’s indication that they will instead expand operations elsewhere in North America, my office is prepared to assist should workers qualify for trade adjustment assistance. I will work with state and local officials to provide necessary assistance to the workers who have just endured this terrible loss.”