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Tuckaseigee Mills to close sewing operations in Jackson, SwainBy Rose HooperTuckaseigee Mills Inc. is expected to close its sewing division in Sylva and Bryson City by the end of the year.However, company officials said that they will continue to operate their fiber bonding division in Sylva. "The decision came about because the company can no longer be competitive in the marketplace," said Ann Marie Sossamon Woofindin, company president and one of the owners. "This unfortunate circumstance is the result of the severe impact that low foreign labor costs had upon the operation of Tuckaseigee Mills," said Woofindin, daughter of company founder, Leroy Sossamon. Workers in the sewing division received their permanent layoff notices on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Woofindin said 149 people were employed at both plants. Some 26 workers have been on temporary layoff. Joan Barker, who works in the Sylva office, said layoffs began in a trickle-down effect last year. During full production, Tuckaseigee Mills employed 350 workers. "We've just experienced a steady erosion of our workforce," Woofindin explained. "I think we are representative of what's happening in this country," said Richard Wiggins, a 16-year company employee. "For some people NAFTA is a far-off sounding word that doesn't mean anything to them directly. And you don't realize the full impact of it until it does hit you personally. Well, it's finally hit us personally." The North American Free Trade Agreement has taken nine years to reach Tuckaseigee Mills, Woofindin explained of the bill enacted in 1991. "We're just a small independent contractor and our customers are setting up operations in other countries where labor is cheap," she said. "We simply can't remain competitive in this marketplace." Wiggins agreed that for the south, once heavily dependant on the industry, "textiles is a tough market. If you are in textiles now, you might as well start training for another field." In its sewing operation, the Sylva plant makes bed spreads, mattress pads and quilts for such customers as American Fabric, Dan River, Spring Industries and Arlee. At the Bryson City plant, comforters, bed ruffles, curtains and accessories are made. Wiggins works in the fiber bonding division where polyester staple is converted into fiber fill. The Sylva plant manufactures the product and ships it to Bryson City to stuff quilts and comforters made there. In addition, the company supplies the product to outside sources. "We have our own trucks that deliver the bonded fiber all over the southeast," he said. "In everything, you have to look on the bright side," said Woofindin. "In our situation, we're looking to expand our fiber bonding division. Right now we are running two shifts and hopefully we can add a third shift." Some of those laid off in sewing may be able to transfer to bonding, Wiggins said, if sales increase. "Nothing is set in stone," said Woofindin. "We have options we are talking about with various people." Erik Brinke, director of the Department of Commerce's Western Office, understands what it means when employees receive notice of job layoffs and plant closings. Before his current position he was workforce development administrator with Southwestern Commission. "Losing your job is a big blow, like going through a grief process," Brinke said. During the uncertainty of plant closings, rumors "run high," Brinke said. A Rapid Response Team meeting scheduled Monday, Nov. 22, at the plant will hopefully dispel any rumors, he said. Brinke will be joined at the meeting by Curtis Morrow of Raleigh, workforce development administrator with the Employment Security Commission; Steve Gold with the Department of Commerce; and others. "Our workers have lots of questions," said Woofindin. "Monday we're hoping to come up with some more answers. Taking care of their benefits and seeing that they are eligible for retraining is important to us." As for Woofindin and her plans, she said, "Now I'm just trying to get through the next few months." |
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