More Job Cuts At Vanity Fair

Vanity Fair announced it will cut 180 jobs from its Monroeville operations center in 2009. 90 people will lose their jobs at the company's plant in Jackson. In Monroeville, the cuts will come when V-F closes its dye-finish facility. In Jackson, plans are underway to phase out the knitting facility.

"We're already facing many problems from gasonline prices and high food prices," says local businessman Jim Rowell. "Everything's going up."

Rowell, who's also a member of the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce, says the job cuts will cripple Monroeville's already struggling economy.

"Vanity Fair is our largest employer," says Rowell. "Some of these folks that'll lose their jobs have been here for years and years. 180 less paychecks? Yes, that's a big, big impact."

Vanity Fair officials would not comment about the layoffs. News 5 was told to contact V-F's parent company, Fruit of the Loom. A public relations specialist with Fruit of the Loom did not return our phone calls, but did send us a brief statement regarding the layoffs. In the statement, company officials say employees affected will receive severance packages and benefits.