Bridgeport Coronavirus Update: Pastry Manufacturer Layoffs

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A Bridgeport-based French pastry manufacturer will let go of 181 employees, according to a document filed with the Connecticut Department of Labor. Lecoq Cuisine Corp., located on Union Avenue, was founded in 1991 and is the preeminent manufacturer of fine French pastries in the US.

The layoffs come "because of the unforeseen nature of the Coronavirus pandemic and its aftermath on our business and our customer’s operations," according to the document filed with the state.

The layoffs occurred March 20.

The filing states that "this action may be temporary, (but) given the uncertainty created by this pandemic, this separation it may be permanent."

"We apologize we were unable to provide affected employees with more advance notice of this layoff," Lecoq noted in the document. "The speed and vast reach of the physical calamity that is the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the declaration of a state of emergency and directives at the federal, state and local level, including but not limited to directives for individuals to remain in place, avoid congregating, limit travel and to work remotely was unforeseeable and has caused—and will continue to cause—a drastic impact on Lecoq’s business, including customer order cancellations. As such, Lecoq does not have alternative work to offer to its affected employees. After reviewing our staffing and business needs, we are providing this notice affected employees and the State’s rapid response coordinator at the earliest possible time."

The facility does not have bumping rights, which would allow workers to transfer to other locations.