Don't panic
Steven Corbin
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
EVERYONE, relax and catch your breath.
The layoff at Tyson Foods is not the end of the world.
To those who will lose their jobs, I know it doesn’t seem like it, BUT YOU WILL GO ON. I know this from experience as my wife was one of the unlucky Modine employees laid off.
There will be unemployment benefits as well as schooling opportunities to train for jobs that are more in demand.
To the Emporians who worry about the lost tax revenue, property tax hikes, school enrollment and crime statistics and the overall effect it will have on Emporia, we will survive. Our government officials will have to make adjustments, i.e., cuts in some programs to save tax dollars.
Look at the exit long ago of the railroad and Wolf Creek workers. While they may not have had the same numbers of lost employees, the wages paid these workers were much higher than now. The overall effect was that Emporia did suffer for a while but eventually pulled through.
Everyone has a different opinion on the outcome of this announced layoff, but I think that all in Emporia feel for those that have lost their jobs and those who decide to stay and work in Emporia will find a lot of people willing to help them achieve that goal.
Steven Corbin
Emporia
Hillbilly (anonymous) says...
OK dont panic, but what about the 200-300 just laid off today!!! go to tysons website and read the press release
February 6, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JayJazz (anonymous) says...
Here is the link Hillbilly is referencing...
http://www.tyson.com/Corporate/PressR...
February 6, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hillbilly (anonymous) says...
this reduction in not included in the original layoffs, how many more layoffs will be done? I believe that there not done yet....... who can believe a single work they say, SO SAD for the employees,
February 6, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hartford (anonymous) says...
Tyson is a joke! It's easy to say "don't panic, this isn't the end of the world" when you are not in the shoes of the ones being laid off! Steve Corbin, you're not losing your job! When you do, then you'll know what it feels like!
February 6, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zippy (anonymous) says...
Losing your long time job is similar to going thru an unexpected divorce. You hit bottom and wonder what the heck is going on and what is going to happen to you and the kids financially. You have to make each day count by investigating and researching your options as soon as possible before the money runs out. Sometimes you might have to depend on some help from others until you get back on your feet again. Don't wait for anything to be given to you, go out and seek info and opportunities from businesses and people in town and hope for good luck!
February 6, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wanderer (anonymous) says...
Hartford, he has been in the shoes of the ones being laid off. At one time, Modine was considered almost as vital a part of this town as Tyson. If his wife's experience was anything like the families I knew, they were probably rocked just as hard as the Tyson workers are now.
At the same time, I understand what you mean. When everything's just crashed down around you, you're usually not in the mood to hear "It's going to be OK" from somebody. I agree with Steve -- Emporia and its people will find a way to survive this in the days to come. But that doesn't make it any less painful or hard to deal with right now.
February 6, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
truelovecharlie (anonymous) says...
Food for thought----Maybe this is a good lesson to learn in both parties of a family not working at the same place of employment. Losing 1 income would be very difficult; however, many Tyson worker's were husband and wife working at the same location, thereby both losing their jobs and that would be devastating. Emporia is not the only town in the country. Maybe those that are able should seize this opportunity to explore new horizon's. In the days of old people moved to live where they could make a living and survive. Now people want to live where they want and hope they can survive. There are plenty of jobs out in the US for those that WANT to work.
February 6, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporian (anonymous) says...
OMG the sky is falling. Everybody run. Please. Emporia will get through this. How many meatpacking towns really thrive, especially in KS? Junction City is all that comes to mind and only because of the boom from Ft. Riley. It will all work out in the end.
How much money do you think is actually spent in this town? Lots went back to Mexico. Those check cashing/money wiring places weren't there for no reason. I am not worried. I feel for those who lost there jobs. My father worked a Didde's for 26 years and left with nothing. He got an education and now has an in demand, good paying job. Hopefully others can follow suit.
February 6, 2008 at 11:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koro (anonymous) says...
Hey, Hartford...my husband lost his job with Didde after being there for 20 years, so we know what it's like. There are a LOT of people in this town who know what it's like to lose a job. You are not the first. It ISN'T the end of the world, and it may not be an easy go, but you will find that out as you go along day by day. Things have a way of working out. I'm a little tired of everyone acting like Tyson is the most important plant that has ever closed in this town...at least the employees are getting pay and benefits for a couple of months. What other company would do that? Not many...most just escort you to the door...
February 8, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
roger (anonymous) says...
Koro, All companys who are large enough have to give 60 days notice of layoffs . Tyson isn't doing this out of the kindness of their hearts. I was downsized 19 times by the railroad. I went where there were jobs. It wasn't easy. I had to do jobs that were physically challenging. I wore my body out. But I had to do it to keep insurance on my kids. I think everyone survived the layoffs. I think most of these people will too. They may loose most or all of their equity in their homes with the downturn in housing this will surely cause. If they go with Tyson they will retain some of their benifits gained by the years they worked. If not, they may find much better employment and have a much better life for it. I remember an electrician telling me that the best thing Santa Fe ever did for him was to lay him off. They might have to relocate to find a job. The only place that would hire me from hundreds of aplications I put in locally was night cleanup at the beef. Some employers when they found out that I was from the railroad would throw my application in the trash before I even left. Don't count on Emporia to save you. Get out and check all your options. Don't be afraid to try something new. Cutting meat isn't very high on the list of good jobs. Those of you who get new careers may feel like you are on vacation. You have worked without a union for a greedy ruthless company who could demand that you destroy your health for their bottom line. Why do you think tyson has an over abundance of processing capabilitys? It is because they drive their employees like the slaves they are. Yes a lot of people wouldn't work these jobs for these wages. If you people who always throw this up as an excuse for illegal immigration, were to work one week in a beef plant, you might shut your mouth and realize that all tyson wants is slave labor.
February 8, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Way to go, Roger! Well put.
February 8, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
poff (anonymous) says...
hey steve, don't know if you will happen to read this but if you do hello from iraq, i agree with you on what is happening, you and i have had conversations on what has been going on at "the beef" and most of the money that was generated there did not stay in the emporia economy, some did but a vast majority of it went "south". i think we also discussed that when it was sold to tyson that within 5 years it would be closing. well just wanted to say hi, tell everyone i said hello and we will be coming home soon.
February 9, 2008 at 3:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
alfalfa (anonymous) says...
Thanks for your service poff. This might not be the place to post this, but I for one am grateful for your sacrifice, God bless all of you.
February 9, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )