Necromancer Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 So anyway, those of you who know me, know that I've been a printer since I was a wee little Necro. Goin' on 25 years. I've been at the place I work, Herff Jones, for almost all of that time in either full time or part time capacity. I've been full time there for about 18 years straight. I'm one of the highest paid guys in the plant. Offset printing is a great field and I was lucky enough to really excel at it, and work for a company that rewarded my committment to quality. Lately, I'd taken a part-time job at Giant Food Markets to supplement my income. We bought a new vehicle and wanted to stay above water with the payments AND be able to take the kids somewhere different each weekend. So I started working overnights at Giant, stocking the frozen foods section. Good job. No one to bug you, and easy as all hell. Decent money too actually. Great move. I was a little tired during the day, but I'd nap at lunch and it was all good. Weekends were worth the time sacrifice. That all ended today. There were bad rumors going around the Herff-Jones plant on Thursday that our corporate leaders in Indy were looking to "consolodate". Nice word for shutting us down and taking our work to other plants. We print graduation materials for colleges and high schools around the nation. Great "niche" work. We do both the graduation announcements and diplomas (which I print) for about a third of all the company's clients at the Scranton Plant. Today, a meeting was called and our worst nightmare came true. The rumors were true and even though our plant has been around for over fifty years and continues to be one of the biggest profit generators in the whole fine papers division, we were "consolodated". As of Sept. 7th, 2010, I join this nation's growing number of unemployed people. Well... i won't be a printer anymore, something I took great pride in and have gone well above and beyond to learn and further my craft. At least I'll still be a grocery boy at Giant though. I just hope that at my age, 45, I can still find gainful employment in this field. Unfortunately, I've been away from the large format, multi-colored work that pays the highest wages for over fifteen years. I make equal to or greater than those guys make due to the longevity of my association with HJ, more than because of the complications of the job. What I do is basically a cake walk for me, and I get paid a real lot to do it. If I were to go to another single color, small format shop and demand what I get now, I'd be laughed at. A LOT. So i'm in a catch 22. I may just take the schooling that's offered to me and see if I can join a whole new career field. Maybe further my photography and make that a paying gig. I dunno. I've seen my friends here, and in my town, suffer this hardship, all the while thinking... "it could never happen to me". "NOT MY JOB". Well... as often happens... I was wrong. But hey... if you need to know what frozen foods are on special at Giant... gimme a pm. I can help you with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolinda Bonz Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 so sorry to hear about this, Necro. what schooling offer thing? that sounds interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyBlaze Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 I'm sorry to hear that Necro. Throughout your time here on TRF you sometimes mentioned your job at the plant. It always seemed like you were always competent and confident in it. On the positive side, you mentioned that schooling was an option offered. This might be the way to go...and at the very least, it is ONE way. On a side note, my bro BennyBlaze came out here last week for a visit. We were briefly talking about our jobs when he asked, "Your job is pretty secure, yeah?" I laughed at the question and said, "Man, NOBODY's job is really secure in any country! I'm sure my company wouldn't have too many problems kicking me to the curb if it meant saving a few yen. And unfortunately, the same can be said for millions of folks around the world." He looked down then softly admitted, "Yeah, that's true." "Soooo Benny, let's get more beer!" I hope for good things to happen for you in the near future Necro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khan Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 Sorry to hear...always sucks especially after being there so long. Where is the plant? Is that a sheet fed plant? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tick Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 I'm sorry Ken. That just totally blows. I don't really have anything profound to say, its just a suck ass situation. Maybe we could start a bad rock bad together, film our struggles in a documentary and make scads of money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 Ken, that's the pits and I am so sorry. If you're that tempted - take the schooling offer. Are you talking about the Federal program that pays for your schooling if you're laid off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lerxt1990 Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 That fing sucks dude. Kep yer pecker up, youll be OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILSnwdog Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 This sucks Ken. I hope this turns out to be a blessing in disguise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeduck Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 That's shit news Kenny. It's a cliche but as one door closes hopefully a new door will open, you never know, this bad situation might in the end lead you down a whole new and better path. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fridge Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 Sorry to hear that mate...there's going to be a whole lot more of this kind of pain as the recession bites. Maybe it's time to indulge the photography angle? Lots of people decide to follw their pasions late on in life. Maybe this could be the catalyst that kick starts it for you. Good luck in whatever you decide to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Necromancer Posted July 10, 2010 Author Share Posted July 10, 2010 Thanks for the kind words and motivational thoughts folks. RushNut: my plant is located in Olyphant, Pa. and yes, i guess it's sheetfed printing. They're smaller presses, the largest sheet being 14x18, and they don't feed stream, but one at a time. I've had much experience at larger format sheetfed, so I will try to get back into that area. More money there. Mara: Yes, i think it's a federal program. I've heard a lot from people that lost their jobs from plant closings that they were offered schooling, and I can't understand why they didn't take it. Especially if you hated your job, and can collect unemployment while learning a new trade. That's the catcher though. I don't really want to collect unemployment. I'd rather just hop back into the workforce, if I'm lucky enough to do so. I would love to get a degree in photography, and pursue a whole new career in something that is such a passion for me, but I don't know if I can stay on unemployment that long. We have a very sweet retirement package that will not be affected from this closure, and I can't get at it for three years after I sever all ties with Herff Jones. So if I'm on unemployment, i'm still officially an employee of HJ, so those three years wouldn't begin until I either run out of unemployment, or get another job. I would rather those three years start on Sept. 8th. Another positive thing is that we've been wanting to move to New York for the longest time anyway. I'm thinking this will make this happen quicker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of a Rider Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 Man, what a kick in the stomach. All I can say is good luck to ya. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCM Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 I feel your pain in this situation, a similar thing happened to me when the financial world crumbled and fell apart. I lost a really good job that I loved working with great people. It's hard to know what direction to take. Take advantage of any and all education that is offered to you, you never know where it may lead. Take your time making decisions and don't forget to sign up for that unemployment, luckily in PA it can all be done online and you never have to waste time at the unemployment office. I found a lot of free computer classes, assistance and information at the local CareerLink office - look into all of that and take advantage of it. Best of luck, I hope there are better things waiting for you and your family in this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soni Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 Sorry to hear about that! I hope you'll be all right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 I know about not wanting to go on unemployment. But do it! You paid into it for all those years. Take it for however long you need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-D-RocK- Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 Try to look at this as an opportunity.....then capitalize! As one door closes, others shall open........! Best of luck....all will be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Necromancer Posted July 10, 2010 Author Share Posted July 10, 2010 QUOTE (Mara @ Jul 10 2010, 09:57 AM) I know about not wanting to go on unemployment. But do it! You paid into it for all those years. Take it for however long you need it. It's not so much a pride thing. I will totally be okay with it if I have to use it, but it's a matter of the faster my ties with HJ are cut, the faster the three years in which I can get my Aesop money begins. I WANT THAT MONEY, before it tanks out and I'm left with nothing. I think HJ will stay in business, and even rebound. The consolodation is probably a good thing financially. I just hope our stocks, which aren't based on the open market, stay strong. Usually, what we're doing, is seen as a strong move and keeps our value stable. So it sucks for me now, but in three years i'll be making an I'M A MILLIONAIRE post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-D-RocK- Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 Are they at least going to offer you a position in Indiana? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natch Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 Wow Necro, that really sucks. I hope you can find some way to make ends meet during this tough time. Hang in there buddy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangy Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 hang in their dude. i can't claim to know you well but you have always come across to me as intelligent and funny. those two qualities will serve you well in your job search. i am in a similar situation and am wrestling with what i want to do when i grow up and where to live. mid-life crisis is right. yikes. i had spent years and took lots of education and now my industry in general has been decimated and my one man corporation history. time for tough choices for me. good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Necromancer Posted July 10, 2010 Author Share Posted July 10, 2010 QUOTE (Natch @ Jul 10 2010, 11:18 AM) Wow Necro, that really sucks. I hope you can find some way to make ends meet during this tough time. Hang in there buddy... I've got two months left of work, then a decent severence package, then since i make a good buck, i'll be able to collect the max, whatever that is. I also have a part-time job that makes good money. It won't be enough to cover everything, but hopefully it'll get us by. I'm also desperately trying to start making money with my photography. There are a few decent leads, and I have some great references that are currently getting work published, so that would be awesome. We'll get by, but it's gonna be tough for a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveyt Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 wtf?! sorry to hear about this necro. u'll get some new, good ideas, meet new people, and tear it up b4 u know it. handles! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarkus406 Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 Aw dude, terribly sorry to hear that. Consolidation really blows, especially when the company you've given your all for so many years turns around and gives you the big fat finger like that. Well...it wasn't done just to harm you, and it's no fault of your own. You're a strong guy and you'll be able to make it, man. Best of luck to you and your's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobodys hero Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 So sorry to hear this Necro. Is there any other printing plants in your area? How about a transfer to another plant that belongs to the same company? I know you have been away from the large format, multi-colored printing but your experience in the field counts for something. My husband works with the large format multi-colored printing company so I know how specialized that job is. I would grab that career training and find something you like to do. How about food giant? Can you get more hours there? The grocery stores have always had decent wage and benefits. Hang in there..something good will come your way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Necromancer Posted July 10, 2010 Author Share Posted July 10, 2010 They haven't yet, but they said they would be making positions available to those that qualified. If an offset position opened, i'd definitely qualify, but I know they would never keep me at the rate i'm at. The pressmen in Indy ad Iola don't come close to what I'm making. Giant would probably give me more hours, but if I collect, i'm probably only allowed to get so many hours. Probably twenty. Don't know yet. What I'm considering is that for at least the two months of work we have left... working as many hours at Giant as I can, maybe thirty or so, and putting it away. We've only been using it as xtra for weekend getaways and such. So maybe it'll be best served put in the bank for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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