Bullseye Glass is cutting back hours in response to a state order to limit its production. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality said the company may not make glass using a list of nine metals. Bullseye said this effectively eliminates 80 percent of its product lines.
Jim Jones, Bullseye’s director of sales, said for the next three weeks, about 15 employees will be idle.
Jones said people are not being dismissed outright, but the company expects some attrition.
"We're not actually laying employees off," Jones said, "but their hours are getting back so far that they may have to move on, because they can't afford to work for us."
Bullseye employees about 85 people in its Portland production plant, and about 140 citywide. DEQ acted after high levels of lead were measured at a children's daycare close to the plant.
The cease and desist order is in effect for 10 days.