The Jackson Sun from Jackson, Tennessee • 2

Page 2: From the cover XXm'' Workers' sufferings spill out in survey Weather By Tim Tanton Sun business reporter Today's highlow 5 Oarksville 4020S Union City 40s30s Jackson Nashville 40203 Memphis 40s30s 40s30s Savannah 40203 being discriminated against because of the; union," one former worker said. -Si: One man reported that when his wife went to a job interview, she told the personnel' manager her husband had worked for Owens-: Corning. "The man told her he didn't give a damn about Fiberglas workers." A college graduate with no experience was preferred to someone who worked in a factory for five or -10 years, the personnel manager was quoted assaying. I Some respondents in the poll said they have found other jobs, but in many cases. I they make minimum wage, $3.35 an and it's not enough to cover bills.

"I have to take two checks to pay one bill," someone stated. "I went to court to get my child support -(payment) lowered a little, but the judge only lowered it for two months," said an- other. "Then it went back to the same amount. I wonder how he would like to pay $300 a month out of nothing." Some laid-off workers are experiencing -domestic problems. "My husband left one ex-worker said.

"We're losing our home, car. My whole life is a mystery." Many workers said they felt alone, with no place to turn. "I believe the top people of Madison County could have kept Owens-Corning in Jackson," one ex-worker said. "No one cares about us. No federal government officials seem to care." The Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce was a frequent target of criticism.

Former workers said they felt the chamber opposed unions, and that helped the company decide to close the plant. In contrast, workers also said Owens-Corning treated them well. "I would like to be employed by Owens-Corning again in the future," one said. Efforts to get jobs elsewhere have been hindered, many said, by their status as former Owens-Corning workers. "Everyone is afraid to hire you because they think the plant will open back up and they'd lose you," an ex-employee said.

The company didn't rule out the possibility of reopening its plant, and so far has not publicly attempted to sell it. "I believe Owens-Corning employees are Bitterness, helplessness and desperation fill the lives of laid-off Owens-Corning Fi-berglas Corp. workers, who poured out their feelings in a survey. Jobs are the chief need named by almost every respondent to the poll. Bills are least among their needs, they said.

The poll was taken in December and returned last week to Work Initiatives, which paid for the survey to learn how to improve services for unemployed workers. United We Work and the United Auto Workers also sponsored the survey. Poor management, bad relations between the company and the Teamsters Union, and indifference by community leaders were blamed for the closing of the Owens-Corning plant in Jackson last year. Company officials said the plant, which produced fiberglass reinforcements and tire cord, was closed in a corporate restructuring aimed at making Owens-Corning more resistant to takeover attempts. Highlow, sky forecast Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 5 Sunny 60s30s Partly cloudy 50s30s Rain chance 50s30s Rain chance 50s30s Saturday record Forecast JOBLESS from Page 1A Sunny and cool today with the high in the mid 40s.

Fair and cool tonight with low in mid-30s. Sunny and warmer Monday with high in low 60s. Solunar tables a.m. p.m. Monday 9:002:50 9:303:15 Tuesday 9:553:45 10204:05 Wed'day 10:504:40 11:205:05 Thursday 11:405:30 Friday 12:106:20 12:306:45 (Best times to hunt or fish.) Rain This month's rain 4.52 This year's total 8.99 Normal precipitation 10.73 High temperature 51 Normal high 54 Record high 74 (in 76) Low temperature 36 Normal low 31 Record low 8 (in '58) Sun sets today at 5:43 p.m.

and rises at 6:34 a.m. Monday. Across the state High Low Memphis 52 37 Millington 51 36 Dyersburg 50 35 Nashville 50 34 Crossville 47 31 Chattanooga 53 41 Knoxville 52 42 Bristol 49 43 (Temperatures Saturday.) Moon phases If Work Initiatives could work with the for-' mer employees, it might be able to help them get interviews, Hale said. "I feel like there's a pool of people out there that would go to work if they could get in and get interviews." Yarbrough and his family are surviving, primarily on savings, though his wife is a part-time beautician. He guesses they can last six more months without him getting a job, barring an emergency.

His biggest concern is that his family lacks medical insurance. Of the Owens-Corning workers polled, 46 percent have no medical insurance, nearly twice the number of Holley Carburetor workers without medical insurance. Barely more than one-fourth of the' Owens-Corning workers said their children are covered by Medicaid or other insurance. Yarbrough and Scruggs suspect their sta-tus as former Owens-Corning workers and members of the Teamsters Union at the plant hurts them in applying for jobs at some plants. "I feel like these plants that don't have a.

union, they're sort of skeptical about Owens-Corning (workers) coming in there," Yarbrough said. Owens-Corning had a strong union, he said. Other Owens-Corning workers feel the same. Almost 57 percent of those polled attributed difficulty getting another job to their union background, compared to 36 percent of the Holley Carburetor workers. "I do feel that their union affiliation has caused them some difficulty," Tatum said.

"In one way I'm sorry to say that because it sounds negative, but it's a fact. That's the way it is." Yarbrough continues seeking a job, and is willing to relocate if necessary. A year from now, he might think Owens-Corning did him a favor, he said. "I feel like It's going to be all he said. United We Work has 105 active files on displaced workers, most of whom worked for Owens-Corning.

Of those, about 30 people are employed, and all but about half of 1 percent of those working have minimum-wage jobs, said Inadene Tatum, former director of the agency. She resigned last month for health reasons and was not replaced. United We Work is a community program helping displaced workers get local services and jobs. Some former Owens-Corning workers sought work through temporary help agencies such as Manpower, while others went to school or into business for themselves, Tatum said. Some ex-plant workers have part-time jobs, and hope for full-time ones, she said.

"Many of them are getting by merely because a spouse works. "The group that concerns me most are the single parents with children," Tatum said. "They're having the greatest difficulty making ends meet," Depression, alcoholism and domestic problems are common, Tatum said. She is amazed at the fortitude the people have shown, she said, Martin Yarbrough, who worked at Owens-Corning for 17 years, agrees times are tough, but probably not more so than when his father was out of work. Yarbrough applies for factory jobs at places such as Noma Outdoor Products and American Olean Tile, while attending auto mechanics classes at the vocational school.

He will graduate in March 1989. Auto mechanics is a service industry, and he hears that's where jobs are being created, he said. Statistics show people have a 90 percent chance of getting a job after 15 interviews, Hale said. Though 67 percent of the Owens-Corning workers polled had less than 6 interviews, about the same number of people put in 10 or more job applications. IstQtr.

Full LastOtr. New Feb. 24 Match 2 March 9 March16 Most former Owens-Corning employees have exhausted unemployment benefits, and many are without insurance and other necessities. Two-thirds have applied unsuccessfully for jobs at 10 or more places, and more than half feel their former union membership hurts them in job-search efforts. "Owens (workers) seem to be hurting more," said Barry Hale, director of Work Initiatives, a job training and counseling agency.

"You ask them what they need most, and it's simply a job. These people's self-esteem has absolutely gone rock-bottom." The poll drew responses from 680 out of 1,700 displaced workers. The survey was done by Work Initiatives, the United We Work program, and the United Auto Workers, who represented workers at Holley Carburetor in Paris. Holley Carburetor's closing last year cost about 1,000 jobs. Five former employees with Weber Costel-lo Co.

were included in the poll not enough for a valid sample, Hale said. Weber Costello left Jackson in 1986, and Work Initiatives could not obtain a list of former employees. Work Initiatives will work on the poll results and send them to United We Work and the United Auto Workers. Work Initiatives is trying to contact former workers to explain services to them, Hale said. At the store where she works, Scruggs sees many former Owens-Corning workers, Most of those working are in minimum-wage jobs, she said.

"It's hard coming from a job paying $10 down to minimum wages and this is 1988," she said. Forecast for 6 p.m. today 10 20 50 -v lV 19g Accu W.Mhw, Inc JAILS Flurries are predicted for today in parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Rain is expected for southern Florida. Temperatures around the nation Tmpmhm indicate Satmfey'i Ngh and km unM 7 p.m.

Otor data aia Saturday'! pracipitaliofl and bdn'i sky forecast. Danw DasMma Darn Homkiki Houston Alwouarqua 56 33 13 44 2 Anchoraga 24 Aaanta 48 Auffin 68 JacMon.Msa. McNairy County's Jail Committee searched for a year to find a location for a new jail, but never came up with an acceptable site, said County Executive Wilburn Gene Ashe, "It's a costly project," said County Commissioner Richard Moore. "We've been trying to get something done for a year but the people are not going to vote to spend money without knowing where the money is going," he said. "I'm for a new jail.

I think if you asked all the commissioners they would be for it. We need one, there's no doubt about that." "There's no doubt that money is the problem," said Crockett County Sheriff Neal Klyce. Commissioners know the situation, Everybody knows bigger jails are needed, but people don't want to pay taxes and the counties don't want to increase taxes, he said. "We get certified," he said. The jail gets approval by the Tennessee Corrections Institute for providing the services that inmates need.

Still, Klyce's jail has been running eight prisoners more than capacity for the last two weeks, he said. "Don't get me wrong, the county has spent money for improvements to the jail," Klyce said. "They've been helpful. But when it comes to spending large amounts of money, its almost impossible for many of the small communities to doit." said, adding he is waiting to find out what options the commission can take. Any solution to the problem, whether expanding the existing jail or building a new one, will be expensive.

That's the problem, commissioners say. McNairy County commissioners also discussed the idea of a new jail at their January meeting. Many who voted against the proposal felt the idea of a bigger jail didn't answer important questions. How do commissioners fund the project? Where would the jail be located? How long would the new jail last before another would need to built. Those issues, commissioners say, blocked the proposal from being approved.

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County Executive Don Clifft is seeking advice from the Tennesee Sheriffs Association. "Other than being aware of the problem, we've taken no action," said Clifft. "I'm concerned," he 51 .25 CMaaMAC. 60 Si 46 dr 32 14 St cdy 41 30 cdy Cnicago Crami Ckmiand Coknnu.SC. a .19 53 48 .01 MMaul Nw3rlaafia NtwYorkOty OMahomaCly 0mm Orkndo ColumOus.Ohio 40 28 .03 CWm riWQUl 65 36 Dayton 37 25 04 DAIRY Q.

Can you tell me when and where the Michael Jackson concert in St. Louis will be? How much are the tickets concerns, he said. On the other, he hates to see government intervention and control of the marketplace. "It's not going to make a hill of beans' difference to me," Harris Blankenship isn't strongly opposing the bill, either. "I don't think it should pass, but I'm not cutting up about it," Blankenship said.

and how can I Keep in touch with frltc 3un get them? Dull M.M. Jack- Line A. Jackson will be at St. Louis Arena at by mail, call toll-free (800) 372-3922 or the business office at 427-3333. Visa and Mastercard are welcome.

You may stop by the business office, 245 W. Lafayette 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays to pick up a copy. The cookbook is also available at Havener's Frame Shop, Mam'selle's, Kisber's, Readmore bookstore and Bookland. Q.

What do I do if I was overcharged on my bill from Jackson Cablevision? E.P. Jackson A. If you believe you were overcharged on your bill, call Jackson Cablevision at 424-3213 and ask for the billing department, said Judy Phelps, customer sales and service manager. Cablevision will be glad to look at your bill and help you with any problems you may have, Phelps said. "We know it's hard to get through sometimes, but keep trying," Phelps said.

"We're willing to do all we can to help." News Managing editor Curtis Coghlan Associate editor Johnny Matone News Maty Reed Editorials Ellen Dahnke Sports Morris FeaturesPeople Lisa Cannon Green Photography Larry Atherton Whom to call General 427-3333 W. Tenn 1-800-372-3922 Circulation 423-1010 Sun Line 424-8080 Classified 423-0300 Gibson Co. Bureau 855-3610 USA TODAY 423-1010 The Tennessee Farm Bureau leads the group opposing a repeal of the mandatory mark-up, saying the large chains offering their brand of milk would drive smaller processors out of business. The law keeps the marketplace viable, said Billy McLemore, a spokesman for the Tennessee Retail Grocers Association, which opposes repeal. Some of the smaller dairies that would be squeezed out of business produce quality dairy goods that set industry standards.

Without them, quality might suffer. Moreover, McLemore doesn't buy the argument that consumers would end up with cheaper milk. After initial price wars drive small producers under, prices would go back up again. J.D. "Buddy" Harris, another Madison County dairyman and head of the Jackson State Community College agriculture department, doesn't have strong feelings about whether the law should be repealed, but he leans toward keeping it on the books.

On one hand, Harris hates to see the smaller, regional processors run out of business by the larger From Page 1A have gone out of business in spite of the law. The federation represents only a few grocers, but they represent large ones such as Kroger and Mega Market. The bottom line, Boyer said, is that housewives ought to have access to the cheap milk that would line grocers' shelves if the law were repealed. "That's a falsehood of the first order," said Pete Turner, owner of Turner Dairy in Covington. The consumer won't save in the long run if the law is repealed, he said.

Moreover, although Turner realizes the law isn't enforced all the time, it's there as a safety net. For example, a couple years ago in East Tennessee, processors were able to stop an illegal price war by forcing the law to be enforced. "I don't really see that it's doing any harm," Turner says of the law. 8 p.m. March 12-13.

The only tickets still available are in the sections behind the stage, a spokesman for the auditorium said. To order tickets by mail, send $22.50 for each ticket to St. Louis Arena, 5700 Oakland St. Louis, 63110. No postage and handling fees are required, but you must enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

The later you send your order, the more likely you'll need to ask to have your tickets left at the ticket window. The arena's phone number is (314) 6444)900. Q. Is Thayer Wine's cookbook still available? D.C Humboldt A. Yes, says Wine, food writer for The Jackson Sun.

To order it Our letters policy The Jackson Sun values the opinions of the reader and encourages letters to Sun Forum. A tetter must have the writer's name, address and phone number, ough the name and hometown only will ba published. A phone number is needed so we can verity the letter. Letters are subject to condensing. Address letters to Sun Forum, P.O.

Box 1059, Jackson, Tenn. 36302-1059. Subscriptions Dally and Sunday by Daily only by carrier Suggested Mail subscription rates: 3 months 6 months 1 year $25.50 $51.00 $102.00 Our 140th year Issue No. 52 Call Sun Lint, 424-MMO, or writ to Sun Lino, P.O. Box 1059, Jackson, Tann.

38.102, tor action and Information. Includ your rama. phone number and address thav will ba confidential. Consumer question alio may ba directed to the Slate Consumer Affair Division at at 800-J42 6J85. The Jackson Sun (Issn 0890-9938) Is published daily for $102.00 per year by The Jackson Sun, 245 W.

Lafayette Street, Jackson, TN 38301. Second class postage paid at Jackson, TN 38301. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jackson Sun, P.O. Box 1059, Jackson, TN 38302-1059. Corrections, clarifications The Sun Bee To help students prepare for The Jackson Sun Spelling Bee, this daily column offers Information on words and their spellings, meanings and origins.

The words are typical of those used in bees. (Column courtesy of Lawrence Institute of Technology and The Detroit News.) Myrtle Llllard and Roth Grooms were passengers in a car driven by Gussie Davis that was involved in a wreck Friday that killed Lillard. They were listed incorrectly in Saturday's Sun as being passengers in a car driven by Sylvia Hills. Also, due to incorrect Information furnished by the police, Hills' age and condition were incorrect. She is 61 and was uninjured in the accident.

One characteristic of counterfeit bills is that they usually lack the colored threads running through them that are present in genuine bills. An article in Saturday's Sun mistakenly reversed the characteristics. The Sun makes an effort to ensure accuracy, but errors and unclear Information sometimes appear. The Sun regrets the mistakes, and when editors find mat an error has been printed, they will promptly notify readers In this space. For home delivery (within Jackson city limits), service, billing: Call 423-1010 Monday-Friday between 9 a m.

and p.m. For home dellve7 (outside Jackson city limits on existing Jackson Sun routes) service, billing call 1-800-372-3922 Monday-Friday. For mail subscriptions, call (800) USA-O001. Monday through Friday between 7.30 m. and 7 pm.

Mail Subscription address changes should be sent to USA TODAY, P.O. Bo 7856, Washington D.C. 20O44 giving old and new address. Subscription rates 52 Weeks 25 Weeks 13 Weeks Home delivery $130 00 $65 00 $32 50 Mall delivery $115.00 $59.00 $32 50 dapple (noun, verb, adjective You may have seen a horse that was a "dapple-gray." The horse's coat would have roundish, darker spots against the solid gray background color of Its hair. The word "dapple" comes from the Middle English "dapple" or "apple-gray" referring to the varying splashes of color on an apple.

The Jactuon Sun a dletrtbutor or USA TODAY.