Pillowtex workers fall behind

Charlotte Observer ^ | 8/23/03 | Jamie Levy

[Deport Billary]

Pillowtex Corp. declared bankruptcy July 30, displacing 4,800 people in the state's largest-ever layoff. The company's collapse devastated employees, who worried they wouldn't be able to stay afloat financially.

In the week after Pillowtex's closing -- when the surveys were filled out -- 42.5 percent of workers were behind in their rent or mortgage payments. Already, 10.6 percent had been evicted.

[Deport Billary]

The unemployment rate in Cabarrus county stands at 10.2%, in Rowan county it is 11.5%

FYI...

[HiTech RedNeck]

A tragedy, but how on earth did the Observer come across these numbers?

[gitmo]

Apparently they contracted with Paul Friday of Research and Training Specialists, who surveyed former Pillowtex employees who were attending orientation sessions at the Kimball Memorial Lutheran Church service center in Kannapolis.

[snopercod]

Hey that's nothing. The unemployment rate is over 13% here in Transylvania County. It would probably be twice as high if they counted all the people who have stopped looking.

On the bright side, Burger King is hiring again...

[TheBattman]

Further proof that "free trade" is not really free at all......

[Gunslingr3]

Further proof that "free trade" is not really free at all......

No, it's just proof that free economies are not stagnant, and continually evolve as new efficiencies are introduced via trade.

[glorgau]

42% were behind on their rent or mortgage, 2 weeks after being laid off? What were they doing while employed?

[petuniasevan]

If they're anything like the recent unemployed around here in WI, I'd have to say...

Direct-depositing their paychecks at the local watering hole.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

A very rational response. Your comments seem absolutely driven by pure reason without evidence of any emotional component whatsoever. Such rationality requires much in the way of self discipline in order to achieve a total avoidance of all feeling towards those Americans justly thrown out of work due to cheaper foreign labor. The mob-sheep that they are- would feel concern that their fellow Americans have no income, are being evicted and will lose their property.

[Gritty]

(from the article) The study also found that 95.4 percent of responding workers are interested in getting new job training.

That's nice, but will there be jobs for them after they're "trained"? There is a net outflow of jobs.

[Gunslingr3]

Such rationality requires much in the way of self discipline in order to achieve a total avoidance of all feeling towards those Americans justly thrown out of work due to cheaper foreign labor.

Who said I feel no empathy for them? Oh, I forget - you. How's the view from the soapbox?

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

What soap box? I was expressing admiration??????