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JOB FAIR OFFERS OPTIONS FOR ALLIED TUBE EMPLOYEES

By Ezra Mann/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Friday, August 15, 2008 11:11 PM CDT

Allied Tube & Conduit employees had another chance to hand in resumes and explore options as the Southeast Arkansas Workforce Centers sponsored a job fair at the Pine Bluff Convention Center on Friday.

Trish Hines (left), human resources manager for Georgia Pacific at the Fordyce Plywood plant, collects job applications from Allied Tube and Conduit employees at the Workforce Development job fair Friday morning at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Pine Bluff Commercial/Ralph Fitzgerald

Allied Tube is closing in September.

The job fair, which was also sponsored by the Jefferson County Manufacturing Council and Allied Tube, was also open to the general public and brought in about 125 individuals by 11 a.m., said David Norton, southeast area director for the Arkansas Workforce Center at Pine Bluff. He noted that many companies would not invest as much time in helping employees before a closure and that Allied Tube should be commended for their dedication.

“This says a lot for Allied,” added Norton. “If people want to work, the opportunity is there for them.”

For some Allied Tube employees, including Jim Austin, 49, with the environmental health and safety department, this is not the first time he has found himself needing a new job in the Pine Bluff area and remembers when the plant that was originally Illinois Toolworks relocated to Chicago. He said he is keeping all of his options open and could go back to school or leave for something better out of town.

“I would like to stay in town if possible,” added Austin. “But a fella’s got to make a living.”

One option in the education field many are considering is driving a truck and Pine Bluff Truck Driving School Inc. offers a three week course for $3,000 which includes training for 10 hours a day, seven days a week, said Troy Bradley, president of the school. He noted that a Class A CDL license can be one of the best securities someone can have and that some Allied Tube employees have expressed interest in the program.

“Once these guys get their license it opens up a whole new world for them,” added Bradley. “Age is not a restriction and everyone takes a drug test.”

Dale Clinard, 43, who works with the powder coat machines at Allied Tube, said that he is considering going to the truck driving school since going to college is not a possibility with bills to pay and would prefer to stay in the Pine Bluff area. He said he has not had much luck, but that many are waiting to take any new positions until the plant closes in a few weeks. “If I can find a position I’ll stay here,” said Clint Morse, who is also a powder coat operator for Allied Tube. “Even though I’m single it’s tough and I still have bills to pay.”

Temporary employment and job placement services have received several calls and are working to help displaced workers. Kayla Cheatwood, owner of ATeam, and Amy Reynolds, personnel supervisor with Express Employment Professionals, said their companies placed some of the employees at Allied Tube a number of years ago and are willing to help again.

“It’s a sad thing to see Allied shutting their doors,” added Cheatwood. “We’re going to miss them.”

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