RAPID RESPONSE TEAM PLANS TO HELP LAID-OFF BROWN SHOE WORKERS

About 900 workers who will lose their jobs with the Brown Shoe Co. in the coming weeks are getting help from the state's Rapid Response Team.

The team -- made up of state employees from the Division of Job Development and Training and Division of Employment Security, and local service organizations -- are prepared to help workers from Brown's Cabool, Steelville, Fredericktown, Charleston and Benton plants that will close in November.

Jim Garner of the Missouri Department of Economic Development said Brown notified the office about the closings as required by law. He said representatives from different divisions of state government and local service organizations then were notified to prepare for the 900 people that will be seeking other employment.

"We hate to see things like this," Gardner said. "But it's one of those things that happens in a changing economy."

State employees and representatives of the local services this month will meet Brown Shoe employees from four of the plants at their workplaces or nearby. A meeting with employees at Steelville hasn't been scheduled but is expected to take place in early October.

The employment division will be on hand at each site to register Brown employees for unemployment claims and job opportunities.

In addition, Central Ozarks Private Industry Council, Ozark Action and Southeast Private Industry Council Worker Connections Career Centers will provide laid-off workers with assessments, job-search classes and job training.

Since the dislocated worker program began in 1983, more than 70,000 displaced workers have participated in the program, with 56,000 people finding new employment.

"There are positions available around the state," Gardner said. "The team will hopefully be matching the people to positions available.

"Most people don't realize the range of services available with the Rapid Response Team."

Gardner said that many times workers want to stay in the same area, making placement difficult.

In addition to the on-site help, the Division of Employment Security has offices in West Plains, Rolla, Park Hills and Sikeston to service displaced Brown Shoe workers.