Peterbilt sends layoff notice to half of Tenn. plant workers

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Truck maker Peterbilt Motors Company has sent out layoff notices to more than half of its 12 hundred hourly workers at its suburban Nashville plant.

A spokesman for Peterbilt's parent company said the layoffs are due to an expected downturn in demand for trucks because of new environmental regulations.The layoffs are scheduled to begin on January 29th. Notices were sent to 667 workers at the plant in Madison.Peterbilt laid off about 600 workers in 2002 following the launch of the new U-S Environmental Protection Agency emission rules.The workers were hired back a year later amid stronger demand.