Republic National Distributing Company is preparing to cut 146 jobs across Oregon as it moves to sell off its operations in the state, according to a WARN notice filed with officials. The layoffs will hit workers at RNDC facilities in Portland, Eugene, Medford and Bend, along with some remote Oregon staff, and are slated to begin June 17. The notice also states that the affected employees are represented by a union.
RNDC notified city leaders on May 18 and outlined the 146 positions in its WARN filing, as reported by KOIN. The filing does not break down how many roles are on the chopping block at each site. According to the station, the company is in the final stages of selling its Oregon business and has briefed local officials, although details of the deal remain thin. For workers staring down a tight deadline, that uncertainty raises immediate questions about severance, recall rights and whether any new owner will bring them on.
Deal-driven shakeup
The job cuts are part of a broader pullback as RNDC unwinds multiple markets around the country. The distributor has signed a letter of intent to transfer its Oregon and Washington wine-and-spirits rights to Columbia Distributing while selling other state operations to buyers including Reyes Beverage Group and Martignetti. Those transactions are helping redraw the middle tier of the U.S. beverage distribution world and have already triggered a flurry of WARN notices nationwide. As reported by The Spirits Business, the deals are still subject to regulatory approvals and the usual closing conditions.
What the WARN notice means
WARN notices are designed to give workers and public agencies at least 60 days of advance warning before mass layoffs so rapid-response services can be deployed, but they do not guarantee that everyone named will ultimately lose a job. As outlined by the U.S. Department of Labor, employers must inform employees, their representatives and state and local officials about the timing and scope of planned cuts. Industry coverage has also noted that RNDC has said some staff may receive job offers from the purchasing companies while others could be let go during the transition, a point detailed in reporting by MDM.
Local supports and next steps
State officials are trying to cushion the blow. Oregon’s Dislocated Worker Unit and local Rapid Response teams can provide both on-site and virtual help, including guidance on unemployment insurance, retraining options and job placement for workers affected by the WARN filing, according to the state’s rapid-response guide. The document lists workforce boards that cover Portland, Eugene, the Rogue Valley and Central Oregon and explains how employers and workers can request those services. Employees who received notices are being encouraged to reach out quickly to their local WorkSource center or the Oregon Dislocated Worker Unit to get information about available benefits and programs.
For now, RNDC and the would-be buyers say the deals are still working their way through the usual approval process, and the final staffing picture will likely shift as assets officially change hands. Local leaders, unions and workforce agencies say they plan to keep close tabs on the situation as the June 17 date approaches and employers release more detailed schedules.
