Plant Closings Threaten Small Illinois Town

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.laborradio.org/node/5699

Plant Closings Threaten Small Illinois Town - 04/13/07

By Jesse Russell

A small Illinois town is waiting nervously for news concerning the future of its largest employer. Jesse Russell has more…

A town in central Illinois is preparing for the worst after being informed that the bankrupt Collins and Aikman Corporation could be closing three plants there. The auto parts plants are the largest employer in the town of Rantoul and employs 950 workers. The company recently sent out letters to employees saying that the plant could be closed in less than 60 days. Cadence Innovation has expressed interest in buying the three Rantoul plants currently on the chopping block and could prevent closure. This would be the third time the plants have been sold in five years. Rantoul is a town of 13,000 and currently has a unemployment rate of 4.4 percent, below the Illinois state average of 4.8 percent. A majority of workers at the plant are represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

AUDIO story here: http://www.laborradio.org/files/lo/winsheadlines.ram

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I was glad Rantoul bounced back

after the closing of Chanute Air Force Base. Now it looks like they are in trouble again.