Layoff & Re-Employment meeting scheduled for former RES workers - KOAM TV 7

Among those searching for jobs now are employees of Renewable Environmental Solutions (RES) in Carthage.

The general manager says a handful of employees were laid off but workers say the number is closer to 25, nearly half its work force with 32 left on the job now.  The manager today would only confirm the number is less than 30.

Rapid Response officials say that's enough to warrant special help from the career center.

RES is downsizing as part of a transition at the company to new ownership, new projects and to save money.  The general manager says those laid off will have the first shot when business picks up and more employees are needed.

Leslie Abram is a Rapid Response coordinator with WIB and says a community meeting scheduled for Wednesday will let workers know about retraining options and how their skills might transfer to other jobs.

But Abram says the nature of these layoffs brings uncertainty.

"A worker can be in limbo hoping they're going to be called back because they like where they worked, they like the people they worked with, but it's difficult because they need a paycheck coming in and unemployment insurance only lasts so long and it's only so much money," says Abram.  "So they're playing a waiting game and in this case, because they don't have a callback date, they have to start looking for work to continue to get their unemployment benefits."

Abram says it's best to meet with workers before layoffs take effect but RES didn't give her notice.  So the community meeting for workers is being held off site and Abram recommends all attend even if they've already filed for benefits.

The Layoff & Re-Employment meeting is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 30 at the Carthage Water & Electric community room, at 627 West Centennial in Carthage.