Hubbell Lighting Inc. is expected to layoff 39 people at its Christiansburg plant in the coming weeks.

Employees were informed last week of the layoffs, which come as the industrial lighting company braces for a continued slowdown in construction projects, said Steve Nail, vice president of human resources for Hubbell Lighting.

"What we’re actually seeing is construction projects just being put on hold," Nail said. "Businesses are deciding to not go forward with upgrades. That’s really what’s causing this."

The Christiansburg plant currently employees about 350 people, and the layoffs will bring that number to about 310.

Initially the company had announced to employees it would lay off between 25 and 50 hourly employees. Last week, the company also laid off five salaried employees.

Union leaders for Local 82160 of the International Union of Electronic / Communications Workers of America, who represent about 150 employees, said the layoffs will nearly eliminate the second shift and that they are unhappy with the way the changes are being handled. Nail said the second shift will continue but will be smaller than the first shift.

"People's hours of work could possibly change and there is a lot of confusion. We have never gone through anything like this before at this plant," said Penny Franklin, president-elect of the union.

Hubbell Lighting, headquartered in Greenville, SC, is part of Hubbell Inc., an international manufacturer of electrical and electronic products based in Orange, Conn.