ALBION, Ill. (WFIE) – We are learning more about the major impact the closing of a Southern Illinois plant will have on the area.
[Previous: Champion Labs closed permanently in Albion, Ill.]
Over 1,000 employees of Champion Labs in Albion were laid off Monday unexpectedly, the company closing effective immediately.
“I was supposed to go back to to work this Monday. And we got an email saying don’t come to work,” 3-year Champion employee Justin Hawkins said.
Employees say although they were aware the company had filed for bankruptcy, and they had been put on furlough last month, they didn’t see this closure coming.
“I believe they did us all wrong as employees. They should’ve come to us and let us know something way before this,” 3-year Champion employee Bryan Turner said.
Former employees say they feel stranded, unsure what this means for their benefits or insurance.
Some are worried how they will provide for their families or pay their bills.
“Well I haven’t had a paycheck in three weeks. So drawing unemployment, but that’s like pulling teeth. And waiting on that, that’s been tough too. We all have bills to pay,” Hawkins said.
Meredith Miller’s dad worked at Champion for 35 years.
She owns a local coffee shop, one of many area businesses coming together to help how they can.
She’s offering free coffee, no questions asked.
“I don’t know how to help people find new jobs. That’s not something I’m good at. But I can offer them coffee,” Miller said.
State leaders are also rushing to help, planning things like job fairs to happen as soon as possible.
“Literally the last 24 hours, I’ve been on the phone nonstop to make sure that the 1,000 people that lost their jobs have an opportunity to find employment somewhere locally, that they’ll be able to provide for their families,” State Representative Dave Severin said.
Former employees say Champion is the core of the town.
“We’ve all grown up with this place. It was not a big company when we started, and there’s a bunch of us that’s been in the shipping part of it for over 35 years, and we all have grown up with this company. We’ve helped it become what it is,” Murv Fisher, 43-year Champion employee said.
Champion provides jobs for a large number of Albion residents, but also employs a lot of those who live in surrounding areas as well.
“It’s going to have a major effect on this town. Especially the other towns too that people are from working over this way. There’s going to be a lot of families devastated over this,” Turner said.
There will be a job fair held by the Albion Chamber of Commerce at the county fairgrounds on March 4th.
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