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For more information:Lou Ann Nisbett President and CEO 510 Main Street P.O. Box 5069 Pine Bluff, AR 71611 p: (870) 535-0110 f: (870) 535-1643 nisbett@pinebluffchamber.com |
News Manufacturing Council Host Job Fair for Allied Tube Employees By Ezra Mann of the Commercial Staff August 2, 2008...More than 100 employees of Allied Tube & Conduit visited a job fair Friday within the first 30 minutes with 17 industries eager for skilled labor, said Lou Ann Nisbett, president and chief executive officer of the Economic Development Alliance of Jefferson County. Held at the Pine Bluff Convention Center, the job fair was sponsored by the Jefferson County Manufacturing Council exclusively for Allied Tube employees. Southeast Arkansas College and the University of Pine Bluff also had booths to offer information about educational programs. Allied Tube, formerly Century Tube Corp, will be closing in mid-September. The company has been in the community since 1979 and will be laying off 226 employees. "Most everyone should be able to get a job, though doubt still remains," said Gary Reynolds, general manager of Allied Tube and chair of the manufacturing council. "Local industry is anxious to talk to these guys." While some employees are considering leaving Southeast Arkansas, many including Johnny Roberts, a forklift operator who has been with Allied Tube for 27 years, have everything invested in Pine Bluff and are seeking out other prospects. While saying that nothing is guaranteed in life, he noted that it was nice of the company to bring so many job opportunities to one location. "This lets the guys and women know that there is a future," said Jim Richardson, who handles maintenance at Trinity Village and was running the company's booth. "This should bring things back together and let them know someone is helping them." For those that have not been with the company very long, including Chad Hubanks, 28, the uncertainty can put a strain on family life as well. Hubanks spent three years as a machine operator at Allied Tube. While there he and his wife decided to have a child and now are worried about how they will make ends meet if doesn't get another job soon. "We've been talking about relocating, what's best for the family," said Hubanks, who is also considering taking courses at SEARK. " I want to do something better than flip burgers so I can move forward and not backward." Other employers including Evergreen Packaging, Planters Cotton Oil Mill, Inc. and Tyson are looking to fill positions and Arkansas Workforce Center was on site helping with resumes. A dislocated workers' seminar was also held to help employees explore alternatives. "I've been working a lot on credentials, resume building and we're currently working on the tear down process in the production line," said Thomas Medina, a paint technician who spoke to The Commercial after the layoffs were announced in July. "I'm still planning to relocate if things do not work out here, though I have a few prospects like Evergreen." Back to the news list. |
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