More Oklahomans Out of a Job

Staff and Wire Reports

ARDMORE, Oklahoma -- More Oklahoma companies are laying off employees as the economy takes its toll on the Sooner State.

The Dollar General Distribution Center in Ardmore will cut about 95 jobs. Officials from the company said many of those positions will be cut through attrition, and they'll try to place employees in existing job openings.

National Oilwell Varco also announced Monday that it is laying off 61 employees at its plant in Tulsa.

The Houston-based company makes oil rigs and oil supply equipment. The layoffs will not take effect for at least 60 days.

Two other companies announced layoffs in Tulsa last week. Tulsa-based Arrow Trucking Co. has laid off 32 clerical and administrative employees and Houston-based Baker Hughes will cut about 150 jobs at plants in Broken Arrow and Claremore.

OGE Energy Corp Subsidiary, Enogex, also announced layoffs last weeks. About 30 employees from their corporate office in Oklahoma City were terminated last week.

In January, nearly every county in Oklahoma saw a spike in unemployment claims. The state's overall unemployment rate is currently 4.8 percent, around two percent lower than the national rate.

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