About 70 workers at the Cameron plant in Evangeline Parish are out of a job.  

Evangeline Parish Police Jury President Ryan LeDay Williams confirms the layoffs. He  says his concern is for the families and the impact on them.

In a statement, Williams states: “The Cameron Schlumberger lay-off that happened last week was most likely due to the downturn in the oil and sas Industry along with the price of natural gas not being stable.”

Williams says those jobs gave people in his parish a means to provide for their families. Meanwhile, several people in Evangeline Parish say they know someone who was laid off.

Resident Michael Patterson says he feels for anyone who loses a job.

“I think any company should always think about the people in advance but I understand it’s a business and they have to do what they have to do,” Patterson says.

Patterson says he works for a living and Knows what it means to earn a paycheck. “You need your money to take care of your family, your kids and your livelihood,” Patterson says.

The Police jury president adds to that saying:  “Hopefully the oil and gas industry will strength back up and allow our people of Evangeline Parish to get back to work and have stability.”  

Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine says she’s working with the chamber of commerce to organize a job fair the workers.  According to the mayor’s sources, at least 70 employees were laid off.