100 jobs lost with driving firm’s end

Zena Logistics to shut down operations in early March

NEW WINDSOR — In about two weeks, a mid-hudson Valley truck service that delivers Amazon packages to their final destination will shut down and 100 people will lose their jobs.

Zena Logistics, a last-mile delivery service for Amazon in New Windsor, said in a Feb. 20 notice it will permanently close on March 6 because of “an unforeseeable 420 percent increase” in vehicle insurance premiums. The company will make its final routes on March 5.

“Please note, we were unable to provide more notice of this action because the circumstances were not reasonably foreseeable,” the notice reads. “We are providing as much notice as is practicable given the rapid pace at which this situation developed.”

The company explained that in September, its insurance carrier, which it did not name, provided renewal quotes for auto and general liability policies that represented a 420 percent increase compared to what Zena Logistics had been paying, “making it impossible for the company to continue” and maintain its current insurance coverage.

After working with insurance brokers and other third parties to get a more competitive policy, the current carrier offered to lock the company into its original rate for 30 days. Zena kept working with brokers and other third parties to get a more tenable policy, but was ultimately unsuccessful, according to the notice.

A state Department of Labor notice about the impending layoffs said Zena’s employees are not represented by a union. They should receive their final paychecks on March 15, which will include the balance of their paid time off, according to Zena’s notice.

As of Feb. 22, the homepage of Zena Logistics’ website still said the company is hiring drivers and provides information about bene

fits its workers enjoy, such as health care, paid time off and bonuses.

Zena said in its closure notice that it will help employees who stay with the company through its closure to find job opportunities with other delivery service partners at the Amazon delivery station in New Windsor. The DOL or its workforce partners may also provide eligible employees with job retraining, re-employment services and other assistance with finding a new job, according to the notice. The company encouraged employees whose jobs have already ended to access reemployment information and apply for unemployment insurance benefits on the DOL website or contact the agency directly.