Factory closings a setback for Western NC

[JPace]

http://cgi.citizen-times.com/cgi-bin/story/news/48704

Factory closings a setback for WNC
By Dale Neal, Staff Reporter Jan. 22, 2004 10:43 p.m.
MARION - Marvin Riddle Jr. suspected the day he dreaded was coming but said "You put it in the back of your mind."

Riddle was among the 351 workers at Drexel Heritage who were told Thursday that Marion's oldest manufacturing plant would close in April. Drexel officials also announced the closing of a smaller veneer plant employing 45 workers in Morganton.

"People knew it was coming, but it was like a death in the family," Riddle said. "It was still a shock."

Riddle's father had worked more than 45 years at the plant, and Riddle had put in 19 years himself at the furniture factory that has provided paychecks for mountain families since 1918.

Jeff Young, Drexel Heritage president, announced the closing to workers Thursday afternoon.

"Despite improving business, our plants have been operating at significantly below capacity for some time," Young said.

More.....http://cgi.citizen-times.com/cgi-bin/story/news/48704

[candy331]

1. These job closing threads have just been

so depressing today. What is it going to take to stop this slide. Is getting Bush out of office going to really turn things around or has it gone too far?

[madrchsod]

2. another one bites the dust

some recovery

[Sandpiper]

3. I lived in that region of NC

Before I moved to Cali, and it's as bad as it sounds. Western NC has been hemmoraging jobs for the past two or three years. My father has been working with the same company for 30 years and fears for his position. It's really sad.

[Sequoia]

4. Hey, me too

and I'm in Cali too. Do I know you? Of course not. Hi anyway. I'm sorry to see this happen. Our nation is in serious trouble if we keep moving jobs overseas. Those companies will reap what they sow. The underpaid workers will rebel sooner or later, then all hell will break out.

[formactv]

9. I lived in Mars Hill for four years

I thought central VT was a tough row to hoe, but WNC opened my eyes.

[mbperrin]

5. Wow! Look at that *Bush job machine go!

(Everybody now!) There the jobs go!

[hadrons]

6. still proud of that Bush vote in NC???

[AlinPA]

7. Job losses last few days: Kraft 6500, Meijer 3000,

Kodak 15000 (or was it 20000?), Wilsons 1020, Alltel 600.
A lot of idiots who say the economy is booming are only looking at the stock market; Kodak stock went up 16% when they said they would cut those jobs.

[salin]

8. with the number of announced mass layoffs in the last week alone

the admin will need to see more than a measly net 1,000 jobs created.

[tinymontgomery]

10. Gee, in todays Charlotte Observer

Not one mention of this but in the business section it says in big letters "N.C. gained 57,000 jobs in 03". The propaganda machine is in full swing.