TEAM TO HELP DISPLACED SUPERVALU WORKERS

SCOTT CITY -- Supervalu Inc. workers losing jobs when the company closes in April will get help from the Rapid Response Team of the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

Team members will be in Scott City today and Friday to talk to workers.

Meetings will be held at the grocery distribution center at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. both days.

The meetings will explain the services offered by the Rapid Response team, which include assessment testing, career counseling, tuition assistance and job search tips.

Supervalu employs 160 people at its Scott City plant. April 14 has been set as the tentative layoff date.

The company, which has operated a business in Scott City since 1962, announced its closing Jan. 13.

Scott City plant managers are not permitted to talk about the closing or employee negotiations.

Some employees will be given an opportunity to "seek employment at our other distribution centers" in the Midwest, said Deborah Erickson, a Supervalu representative. The company operates distribution centers in Wisconsin, Illinois and St. Louis.

The company has said a financial analysis showed the Scott City center lacked volume or growth potential to keep it open.

Most people are scared of the prospect of losing their job or are in denial, said Ken Boyer, area coordinator for the Rapid Response team.

"We try to ease their pain," he said. "It's always bad to lose your job, but we tell them there are some options."

Kristi Jamison, Department of Economic Development information officer, said most of the displaced employees will benefit from a job placement service.

A lower percentage of people take advantage of the tuition assistance or re-training offers because they need jobs now. "A lot of them are able to find jobs on their own," Jamison said.

After the initial meetings, Supervalu workers will be in contact with the East Missouri Action Agency or Private Industry Council.

Workers who need information about retraining or job placement services can call the East Missouri Action Agency at 334-0990 or (800) 451-0990 or the Department of Workforce Division at (800) 877-8698.

Employers interested in hiring Supervalu workers can also call the state work force division.

Because the region has a low unemployment rate between 2 and 3 percent there is hope that it will be easy for the Supervalu workers to quickly find new jobs. As companies like M &W Packaging, Dana Corp., Procter & Gamble Co., and others expand, there is hope the new business developments can "absorb those workers," Jamison said.