Line forms at employment office

Some face indefinite layoffs

A row of people in search of new jobs stretched halfway across the parking lot from the doors of the Kentucky Employment Service in Glasgow on Tuesday morning.

The frowns on their faces and the topic of conversation for those waiting a new fate were reminders of the economy’s uncertain future.

“The worst part of it is just not knowing,” said Jerry Shive, a group leader at Akebono. Shive, who has been employed there for four years, was one of many laid off from work for the holiday season. He expects the layoff to be extended.

“I’m still there right now, but I think likely it will be the middle of the year before I can go back,” he said.

Shive is thinking about the expected and the unexpected.

“I have a baby on the way and she is due in April,” he said. “About the time that she has the baby we’ll be right in the middle of it. It’s bad timing for a lay off.”

Shive’s coworker and friend, Duane Collier, knows all too well Shive’s fears and concerns. Collier, too, is expecting a new addition to his family.

“My wife is due in February,” Collier said. “On top of that I have a wife and three children at home. They’re (the children) 14, 12 and two.”

After nine years of dedicated service to Akebono, Collier now expects to be without work in the coming months. He is also one of many who thought he faced only a temporary layoff.

Now, he’s not certain.

“I think I’ll probably get a letter by the end of next week. Part of the problem is that there are no jobs here,” he said. “There is nowhere to work.”

The changes in the ever- deteriorating economy that began by affecting the job place are now affecting those at home. Shive and Collier both have house and car payments each month and rely on their pay check to make ends meet.

“I have the house payment and car payments, the whole nine yards. Now I leave the car sitting,” said Shive. “I’m afraid to go anywhere or do anything because you just don’t know what is coming.”

“I’m afraid to spend money because I don’t know if we’ll have it,” Collier added. “All we can do is just ride it out.”

Stephen Wooten was one of nearly 100 who received indefinite layoffs from J.L. French in Glasgow. He was first told he would be laid off from Dec. 5 until Jan. 12, but an ominous and unwelcome letter landed in his mailbox on Dec. 24.

“I got the letter saying I was laid off indefinitely. It said my release date was Dec. 19,” he said.

Wooten is worried about how he will put food on the table for his family of six.

“I have a wife and four kids at home,” he said. “I’ve been the sole bread winner and now without any income coming in it is scary.”

Wooten is anxious about beginning again.

“For me it’s having to start over after six years that is so bad,” said Wooten. “After six years at J.L French as a general productions worker, and you find out you’re just a number.”

Wooten is seeing many changes on the home front.

“I’m going around to all of the government agencies and signing up for food stamps and medical care, whatever they offer and I have never had to do that before. It’s a first for me,” he said.

After weeks of being laid off, Wooten is still waiting for his first unemployment check. He relies on the love of his family and faith to get through the hard times.

“Me and my wife are Christians and we’ve prayed a lot. I’m trying not to fret and worry, but it is hard when you know you have to put food on the table. Kids have to eat,” said Wooten. “But I do try not to worry and I know that God will help provide for me and give us what we need when we need it. I also know that my kids will eat before I do.”

Wooten has to make a house payment each month, with or without a paycheck.

“I have the house payment and I am lucky not to have a car payment,” he said. “The car is paid off.”

Other financial obligations are also weighing heavy on Wooten’s mind.

“My two oldest kids, the 16-year-old and the 15-year-old, are from my first marriage,” he said. “I pay child support.”

Wooten knows that even if he secures another job in the turbulent economy, it is not likely to compare to the job he once had at J.L. French.

“I know people who have put in 10 applications and (are) having a hard time even getting a job at a fast food place. If I do get another job it will probably be minimum wage,” Wooten said. “That will be about half of what I have been making an hour.”