SPRINGFIELD — Navistar International, on Friday, issued layoff notices to about 250 UAW Local 402 production employees at its Springfield truck assembly plant.

The company issued unemployment packets to the workers during the lunch hour. The layoffs are described as temporary and are due to there being no work. The notice did not give a possible return-to-work date.

UAW members have been working without a contract since Oct. 1. Contract talks are to resume Monday after a four-day weekend recess, Navistar spokesman Roy Wiley confirmed on Friday.

The company moved production parts out of the plant two weeks ago. The last truck rolled off the production line on Sept. 27 and assembly workers were sent to the repair yard to fix trucks waiting to be sent out. The last truck repair was expected to be finished by end of the day Friday.

“Everyone had anticipated a layoff one time or another,” UAW 402 president Jason Barlow said. “Obviously the repair of the trucks had extended their work time.”

Employees in the cab assembly and stamping plant are still filling orders and were not issued notices, Wiley said.

“The important thing is work will continue in Springfield after the layoffs” Wiley said “Painting and stamping will continue.”

The union is committed to bargaining in good faith with the company, Barlow said. “We would expect the same from the company in order to maintain job security and bring the work back to Springfield.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0347 or kmori@coxohio.com.