I took off my “newspaper publisher” hat this week and put on my “How May I Help?” hat. Like everyone I am concerned about the teachers and school service personnel who will be laid off due to Hancock’s County School reduction in force. How can we best help them with all the issues they will be facing? This is not someone else’s problem. Those are our family, friends and neighbors losing their jobs and their problem is ours.
I came upon the answer when thinking back to the layoffs at Weirton Steel and what we did to help those people.
During my years in the WV Legislature I served as chair of the Industry & Labor Committee and that committee worked with Workforce WV on programs like the Rapid Response Team. I also saw how that team worked during the 8 years I worked at Weirton Steel and every Friday often meant another layoff.
In private industry, a mass layoff means the company needs to issue a WARN notice to the WV Labor Dept. We issued many of those at Weirton Steel. Among other things, that notice triggers Workforce WV sending a Rapid Response Team to the company. That team is dedicated to providing immediate assistance and support to workers affected by layoffs or mass layoffs. The team offers a range of services to help workers transition to new employment opportunities and minimize the impact of job loss.
The team coordinates with local Workforce Development Boards and American Job Centers to ensure a seamless transition for the suddenly unemployed.
To my knowledge, those teams have been used in private industry, but why couldn’t they used in a massive school layoff. I called Workforce WV in Charleston and was told there was no prohibition that would keep the Rapid Response Team from coming to Hancock County Schools. Workforce WV only requires a request from the employer. I provided numbers and dates to them and Superintendent Walt Saunders telephone number. I then e-mailed Superintendent Saunders and informed him of the program and told him to expect a call from Workforce WV. He responded that Hancock County would be glad to take any help they can get.
What now? We need to be proactive. It’s the State and they often take their time about getting back to you or don’t get back at all. I know. For eleven years I served in the House and found out the wheel moves better when there’s someone tugging on a spoke to make it move.
I’m providing this information to Del. Pat McGeehan(R-1st) who as Majority Leader is in the position to address the situation from Charleston. I’m also providing the information to the County Commission and Mayors of New Cumberland, Chester and Weirton. I’m asking for them to join the school system in writing or passing a resolution asking the State to send in the Rapid Response Team.
When I was at Weirton Steel, the company provided a room in the Holiday Inn next to the General Office for the Rapid Response Team. In that room people could not only learn what jobs that fitted their skill set or education qualifications were available, but what training or tuition assistance would help them pay for training. They learned about unemployment, insurance options etc. and assistance from the State for which they might qualify. They walked in a panic often but they walked out of that room with a plan.
I’m committed to making every effort to get our teachers and school service personnel access to all the help they deserve. And, I think I’ll wear both hats to do it!
