Exide Technologies Issues Layoffs

Exide Technologies, a company that recycles lead batteries in Vernon laid off more than a hundred employees after closing its plant earlier this year. The plant closed because of alleged toxic hazards.

Protesters gathered outside of the plant to demand the company take responsibility.

Air quality officials sued the company because of arsenic emissions and traces of lead found in nearby residential yards.

The company says it is temporarily laying off about 120 employees because it needs more tim to install new equipment to curb these emissions.

Community activists said this will benefit more people in the long run.

Randy Jurado Ertll, executive director of the California Latino Environmental Advocacy Network, called the temporary lay-offs a "blessing in disguise."

The company said when the new equipment is installed, the emissions will be reduced by 95 percent.

The CEO of Exide released this statement:

"We had no choice but to make this very difficult decision to temporarily layoff most of our workers. We know these layoffs will be difficult for our employees and their families, and we thank them for their efforts and dedication to our company.