Lessening the Blow of Manufacturing Plant Closures

November 14, 2010

With the pending closure of the Eli Lilly-owned ImClone manufacturing plant in Branchburg, New Jersey, the devastating effects of plant closings are again taking center stage. The plant has offered steady employment to citizens of Branchburg for years, and now 141 of them are set to be laid off when the plant's doors close later this month. In a cost-cutting measure, Eli Lilly chose not to invest further money in the plant, a former manufacturing location for the cancer medication Erbitux.

While strides have been made, a still-struggling global economy has led to many thousands of lost jobs as manufacturing facilities around the nation have closed up shop. Workers are not necessarily helpless when a plant closes, though, as both New Jersey and Federal laws require companies to take a number of steps before a mass layoff, including notifying employers of a large number of people to give sufficient notice to its employees prior to the closing. Unions also wield a great deal of power, and may be able to pump new life into a floundering business, giving it the financial push needed to keep the doors open.

If, as a worker, you are alerted to an upcoming plant closing, being proactive can substantially lessen the blow of losing your job. You should ask about the possibility of transferring to another facility or a subsidiary company. In addition, inquire about unemployment or severance benefits -- if a transfer to another position isn't possible, those benefits can help keep you afloat financially until you find a new job. You might also be entitled to job retraining assistance through the New Jersey Division of Unemployment & Disability.

It is possible that you have suffered some sort of job-related disease, condition or injury but have previously refrained from filing for workers' compensation benefits. This is a good time to explore the possibility that you may have a work comp claim. Should your benefit application be approved, that compensation is another way to help you bridge the gap between the time you lose your current position and the time you find a new one. Work comp claims can be complicated, though, so it is best to work with an attorney who has in-depth knowledge of the New Jersey workers' compensation system.

Article provided by Keefe Bartels & Clark, LLC
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