The Pyrex factory in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, which operated for 132 years, recently closed, leaving 300 workers unemployed in a town of 4,200. Once a symbol of stability and growth, the factory's closure signifies a loss of community and economic vibrancy. Established in 1899 through a merger of two glass-making companies, during its heyday, it employed thousands and spurred local growth. The factory's closure is a mournful marker of changing economic landscapes and the decline of manufacturing jobs.
The sound of the factory air whistle signaling the start of the workday at the plant... meant all the things we associate with work: Men and women had jobs, families had food on their table, the societal fabric was strong.
Last week, the sound of that whistle was different... It marked the end of the line for the plant.
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