By Barrett Newkirk
ELWOOD — Eric Neese is the sole provider for his two teenage daughters and infant grandchild, so each paycheck counts. Last Friday, Neese went to pick up his latest paycheck to find that not only was his paycheck gone, but his job had also disappeared.
Neese was just one of the 80 or so employees affected by the sudden closure of State Plating in Elwood. Due to financial difficulties, employees of the company had worked for three weeks in April without being paid, hoping all the while that their boss would turn things around.
“They kept telling us they’d keep it going as long as possible,” Neese said.
But the doors closed on State Plating, and 80 workers were left without paychecks or severance packages.
“It’s sad,” Neese said on Friday. “I can’t support my family now.”
In response to the sudden closure, area social service agencies rallied together to form a “rapid response team” to help State Plating’s displaced workers.
The group, led by state Rep. Terri Austin, D-36, and state Sen. Tim Lanane, D-25, held a session at the Elwood Municipal Building on Friday, aiming to help the displaced workers navigate the welfare system, register for unemployment benefits and re-enter the work force.
WorkOne representatives presented each of the 70 employees in attendance with surveys that could be completed to help the employment service place the workers.
Representatives from Vectren Energy Delivery and Indiana Michigan Energy explained energy assistance alternatives for those who cannot pay utility bills.
Officials from Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration set up laptop computers where workers could apply for welfare and Medicaid benefits on site.
Austin said the event was thrown together in a matter of days.
“I took the lead in pulling everybody together,” Austin said. “This isn’t just about unemployment. They need everything at this point.”
With creditors calling daily and no sign of their back wages, State Plating employees needed help immediately, Austin said. “These are not people who can wait two or three weeks for us to organize something for them.”
Tony Mullins cannot wait. “I’m in debt. I’m about to lose my house, lose my car.”
The 43-year-old father is the sole provider for his wife, three daughters and infant grandchild.
According to Mullins, the average worker at State Plating earned $11 to $12 per hour. With such low wages, Mullins said, he did not have a savings to fall back on.
When he stopped receiving his paycheck on April 18, Mullins tried to apply for unemployment but was denied because he was still working more than 24 hours a week. He didn’t consider not showing up for work. “That could get you fired.”
His wife, Debra, said the last four weeks had been hard on the family and her marriage. “I understand why people give up. You can only take so much.”
After sitting through brief speeches about getting back into the work force and working with creditors to avoid disconnection or eviction, those in attendance entered the lobby to begin filing applications for energy assistance, welfare, unemployment and work.
Outside, a truck from the Second Harvest Food Bank waited to fill the tailgates of needy families.
Debra Mullins said Austin and organizers of the event provided something to be happy about in the midst of such dire circumstances. “I’m glad I voted for her like I did. She did great by these people who lost everything.”
“This is my hometown,” Austin said. “I grew up with these people, and I want to make sure they’re taken care of.”
