Plans to help Monaco workers start to develop Save Email Print
Posted: 7:13 PM Jul 19, 2008
 Last Updated: 9:46 PM Jul 19, 2008
 Reporter: Stephanie Stang
Email Address: stephanie.stang@wndu.com
51 comments
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Monaco Coach workers have two months until the factories will be closed down, but state leaders are already weighing in on what can be done to help.

Governor Mitch Daniels says the Indiana Department of Workforce Development can offer unemployment benefits and help provide training.

Experts say workers looking for new jobs will likely have to relocate, change industries, or take a pay cut.

Democratic challenger Jill Long Thompson points out that Indiana's unemployment will continue to rise even higher after Thursday’s announcement.

Right now Indiana’s unemployment rate is 5.8% which is just above the national average of 5.5%.

Both candidates are stressing the importance of recruiting jobs to the Hoosier state to replace jobs that are lost.

“Economic development is not a program it is a long term ongoing commitment to creating a climate that works for business,” says Thompson.

“I've come from job fairs were people are hiring by the hundreds… not always in the spot we like them in.. and we will have to work hard to help make the jobs come.. or help workers get to where the jobs are. But Indiana is attracting new jobs.. again.. we just have to match them to the needs and place best we can,” says Daniels.

On Monday leaders from the Indiana Workforce Development will meet with the human resources department at Monaco to develop a plan on how they can provide aid for the workers who will be laid off.
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Posted by: monaco employee Location: elkhart on Jul 30, 2008 at 03:38 PM
dear anonymus: we do not sit on our buts all day and collect $18.00 an hour. most of us make $11.00 an hour and leave our desks quite frequently to research items and chase parts down for customers. so you may want to keep your comments to your self if you have no idea what your talking about. the upper management are the ones making all the big bucks and couldn't seem to give up the bonus to save the rest of us. so next time you have a comment get your facts straight.
Posted by: Willie Location: Niles on Jul 23, 2008 at 01:43 PM
Firstly, Janet, I HAVE been laid off before, and found new employment without resorting to the self-destructive and counter-productive blame game. Secondly, you must be much smarter than I am if you instinctively know how other people would react in a hypothetical situation. Maybe you should open a fortune telling stand at the carnival. Thirdly, the word you meant to use was "affected", not "effected". Or did you just do that because you knew I would correct you?
Posted by: s on Jul 22, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Why is it the company or governments responsiblity to offer training and serverance pay? The economy is bad and a business had to close its doors. Why can't the employees take it upon themselves to go to the temp services for work, or look in the classifieds for work. It sounds like everyone expects to be taken care of. These are hard times for everyone, not just monaco employees.
Posted by: Janet Location: Osceola on Jul 22, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Willie, you sound like an absolute moron. If it happened to you, you would be complaining like the others that are effected by this...
Posted by: Willie Location: Niles on Jul 22, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Where's "Michugan"???
Posted by: Dave Location: Elkhart on Jul 22, 2008 at 09:26 AM
Bravo Willie!!!
Posted by: TT on Jul 22, 2008 at 08:24 AM
They won't be able to find anything making the money they were making, due to not having some sort of degree. Plus, why would you pay anyone 15 - 20 bucks an hour, when you can hire those who will work for min wage. I feel kind of sorry for those who lost there jobs, but its not like they won't get ANY help. They are fortunate to get money for not working, until they find something else. Its sad, but its reality
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 22, 2008 at 12:43 AM
All the jobs the illegals have you lazy americans didn't want in the first place. No one took anything from you because you stuck your nose up to working in the fields for 7.00 an hour. You would rather sleep at Monaco for 18.00 an hour and whine when they close their doors. You made your neds so sleep tight . McDonalds is hiring, Taco Bell, Walmart, Burger King, etc. Then again they don't have a place where you can hide while you nap.
Posted by: martin Location: wakarusa on Jul 21, 2008 at 04:33 PM
its really unfortunate that 1400 workers are going lose their jobs at monaco. but i was wondering where mitch daniels and joe donnely have been hiding until now? their have been thousands of rv workers who have lost their jobs so far this year, where was the help for them. where is the the severance pay and new training for my wife and others who has been laid off for 2 or more months from monaco and dont get their job back now? why doesn't anyone care about those people. i think they should have been trying to fix this problem long before now because its almost too late now, everyone has already started to lose everything they got.
Posted by: Jason Location: Elkhart on Jul 21, 2008 at 03:52 PM
Thanka Willie, finally some common sense here! The government cannot force people to buy RV's so how do they have anything to do with this? If anything, they should be commended for making an extra effort to help the Monaco workers. This is a natural occurance in the business world that has happened countless times and will happen countless more as consumer demands change.
Posted by: bob Location: goshen on Jul 21, 2008 at 03:20 PM
send to illegals home and there will be lots of jobs. and do not tell me they are low paying jobs walk into any factory and you will see them working for big bucks on any production line
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 21, 2008 at 03:19 PM
Farmer Frank: "Toll Road fiasco??" Please explain.
Posted by: Joe Location: Elkhart on Jul 21, 2008 at 02:18 PM
Willie why cant you hill jacks in Michugan worry about your backward state for a change. When did you get internet in your trailer anyway!!
Posted by: BeenThere on Jul 21, 2008 at 11:44 AM
At least they are getting something. Millions get nothing. Sad, though that some this is ALL they know is factory work. That particular industry has been sliding for years now. Rumours were all over about it closing, but no one took heed. Work One will help you, Welfare, food stamps, and other programs will help you too.
Posted by: Farmer Frank Location: Rural Marshall County on Jul 21, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Mitch Daniels isnt the root of this problem. The root of this problem is how we accept change. You can drive a gas guzzler, but you'll have to change. You can have poor insulation and waste heat, but when your bill goes up from Nipsco, you have to change. We are on the verge of great changes in our lives, the way we travel/live/ work. There is one thing that we can control, and that's who's in the Governors office, looking out for us. After seeing the toll road fiasco, the wasted money on 31 project, the lies about lower taxes, I want change too. Time for new leadership, and someone who wont sell us out. Sorry Mitch, i'm not blaming you, i'm holding you responsible.
Posted by: Willie Location: Niles on Jul 21, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Why don't you crybabies quit blaming your governor for all your problems. No matter what the net gain/loss of jobs you've had in Indiana over the past 4 years, he's still done more for the state than the last three administrations combined. Gas prices shoot up to >$4/gal and you're not going to sell as many RV's; that's simple common sense. And what does the tollroad have to do with any of this? Here's an idea, why don't you stop complaining and looking for someone else to blame, pull yourselves up by your bootstraps, and pound the pavement looking for another job! If you can't find one here, move! Our ancestors did it for years and years, yet you can't be inconvenienced to give up your routine and comfortable lifestyles. Good luck in life, you'll need it!
Posted by: Steve-O on Jul 21, 2008 at 08:53 AM
People!!!Your best bet to get schooling is to enroll at Ivy Tech for one of their degrees or certificate programs. Ivy Tech is reasonable in tuition etc. If your a Elkhart resident you will receive a "Lung" credit on tuition which is almost 50% off per credit hour. Their are so many grants (RV grants) that are not taken advantage of. Don't rely on Work One, make your own move to get help. Within a year or so, you can be starting a new career etc. Hope this helps to all that is frustrated with the job market.
Posted by: Kelly Location: Travel Supreme on Jul 21, 2008 at 08:19 AM
I was laid off from Travel Supreme, hope Work One helps Monaco better than, they helped us. I tried to get the assistance for the schooling, after months of going to meetings, back and forth on the phone and leaving messages. They finaly told me that they were all out of funds and what I wanted to do wasn't on their list (their list was two years old...way to keep up). As long as I want to better myself I don't think it should matter if it is on the list or not.
Posted by: Ginger Location: Goshen on Jul 21, 2008 at 08:00 AM
I have been laid off since February. I went to the Work One office in Elkhart several times. What a joke! I was trying to get additional schooling. You can not get a meeting with a worker from Work One, They make you attend several different orientations then tell you to call them for the training information, I made three trips (gas, gas) with still not talking to anyone about getting me the additional training. I finally could not afford the gas anymore so I am now sitting here just waiting for my unempl;oyment benefits to expire, I am not sure what I'll do for an income. I've submitted 60 or more resumes since February with no luck. Either I'm not qualified or too qualified for the openings. I love the way Indiana is now looking out for Monaco workers. I hope they are not dissappointed with the out come. The state surly did not care about the ones that have been out of work for months so what is different now? Good luck to all unemployed workers.
Posted by: MM on Jul 21, 2008 at 07:56 AM
Right now Indiana’s unemployment rate is 5.8% which is just above the national average of 5.5%. LIE #1. the unemp rate is the # of people on umemp,when your unemp stops you aren't counted anymore.“I've come from job fairs were people are hiring by the hundreds… LIE #2.most people don't get jobs thru these fairs-have you gotten 1? plus these jobs are usually high turnover. develop a plan on how they can provide aid for the workers. LIE #3. if monaco and the state were good at finding jobs/running a business,there would be no unemp. THIS IS A FARCE. get back to the GOLD standard. better yet ever hear of SUCCESSION?
Posted by: Chaz Location: South Bend on Jul 21, 2008 at 07:54 AM
Todd: UK gas prices are now at $9/gallon and have been over $6 for 18 months. A large part of the reasons the US can't compete is that employers here have to pay huge amounts of money for health insurance for their employees. In most industrialized natiosn with a single payer system, the employer either pays nothing or pays far less than in the US and the care is better. Of course it doesn't help that the companie sin the US are among the most greedy and have little to no moral and social values. Rather than take amoderate loss in profits they'll take whatever opportunity they have to screw their workers and customers. Reducing benefits or wages, layoffs to make "the market" happy, reducing the amount of product you get instead of raiing the price so you don't notice that you're getting less for your money. All that so the CEO's can continue to make millions and get huge bonuses. Capitalism and profits above all else at the expense of everything and everyone is out motto.
Posted by: I FEEL Location: YOUR PAIN on Jul 21, 2008 at 07:38 AM
BAH, BAH, BAH, BAH, BAH, BAH. STOP THE BLAME GAME....... EVERYONE IN THE RV WORLD KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN. SUCK IT UP AND MOVE ON. CHANGE IS GOOD. IT TAKES YOU OUT OF THE SAME OLD RAT RACE. GOD GAVE YOU A BRAIN, USE IT! HERE A FREE HISTORY LESSON. 1.MEN AND WOMEN COME TO AMERICA. 2.MAN GOE'S OUT AND KILLS ANINALS,EAT AND TRADE. 3.MAN PLANTS SEEDS, GROWS CROPS,AGRICULTURAL YEARS.4.MAN NEEDS LUMBER AND STEEL TO BUILD THINGS,INDUSTRIAL YEARS.5.MAN MAKES MICRO CHIP,NOW WHERE DO YOU THINK WHERE WE ARE AT NOW.... THE INFORMATION AGE.TAKE YOUR HAMMER AND YOUR SCREW GUN AND THROW THEM IN A TRASH CAN! IF YOU DO NOT PLUG IN. YOUR GOING TO LIVE LIFE UNPLUGGED. ASK YOUR KIDS. ASK FOR A HAND UP, NOT A HAND OUT....
Posted by: Larry Location: Bremen on Jul 21, 2008 at 03:44 AM
Todd are you insane?You need to sit down and get your facts straight.Monaco for one doesn't have unions.Most people there worked for 11 dollars an hour with bonuses that fluctuated weekly.All that depended on the production and sales.Dont ever compare China with us.Its hard competing with slave labor where there is over a billion people who have nothing but are forced to work for peanuts while exploited by American bussiness.Republicans have been a bad thing for labor for decades and this has been the worst administration by far.
Posted by: Todd Location: South Bend on Jul 20, 2008 at 10:20 PM
been there.....be angry at nobody but yourself. The people of China may have a 24 percent increase, but they can live a good life on a fraction of the money that we can. Why? Their labor rates are in check with their economy. The factory workers guided by union standards have been falsely inflating wage demands for years and it has finally caught up to us. There is no other country that makes as much as Americans do for the most part, but yet their economy's function. The Britts have been paying 4 to 5 dollars a gallon for a long time...their economy can handle it..why...because they have their labor to economy ratio in check. I am not just picking on factory workers...look at the monster we created called professional sports...nobody should be paid that much..they make more then a lot of CEO's of large corporations...yet we blame everything on CEO's for making so much while we watch football. Jill Long Thompson was not our answer years ago and is not now. Stay with Mitch.
Posted by: Todd Location: South Bend on Jul 20, 2008 at 10:11 PM
So..what you are saying is that you do not want to pay taxes for the services...do not want government to dictate what you do or how you do it, but they better darn well be there to clean up your messes?
Posted by: Clyde Location: District 21 on Jul 20, 2008 at 10:09 PM
This is just another bandaid job by the Republican party.They do not have a clue what's going on in the real world of the working family. What has happened to the hard working men and women at Monaco is tragic. My name is Clyde James and I am running for State Representative, District 21 as an Independent write in candidate. If you want her out, you have to write me in. David from Elkhart, I agree with you. I am a Dairy Farmer by trade and my wife is a factory worker. I understand the plight of the working men and women and their families in Indiana under this Republican administration both in the state of Indiana and our country. I hope I can count on your support.
Posted by: Rodney Location: Goshen on Jul 20, 2008 at 09:35 PM
Chris from Bremen: It may or may not be true that workforce development is giving help exclusively to one company. The reality is we (humans) focus our attention to the biggest fire, then shift to the smaller ones. If what you're saying it true, that's probably the reason. I doubt it's political or because of personal relationships.
Posted by: ROSIE Location: ELKHART on Jul 20, 2008 at 09:30 PM
I DON'T REALLY FEEL MONACO IS GETTING SPECIAL TREATMENT, IT'S JUST LETTING US KNOW HOW CLOSE TO HOME ALL OF THIS HITTING. TIMES ARE GETTING HARDER FOR ALL OF US, COMPLAINING IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE ANYTHING, WE , AS NORTHERN INDIANA ARE GOING TO HAVE TO TOUGH IT OUT TOGETHER,STICK TOGETHER,COME UP WITH A PLAN, FOR OUR KIDS AND OUR FAMILIES. I'M SCARED,WORRIED, AND VERY MAD ALL AT THE SAME TIME, BUT WHAT CAN I DO TO CHANGE THINGS? I'M IN THE RV INDUSTRY AS WELL SO YES, I A LITTLE CONCERNED. GAS PRICES, FOOD, TAXES, EVERYTHING, IS JUST A JOKE, I ASK MYSELF ON FRIDAY, WELL, CRY ABOUT IT OR JUST LAUGH, I CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH WITH WHAT I HAVE. I DO THE BEST I CAN, ASK THE LORD ABOVE FOR HIS HELP, AND I STILL HAVE MY JOB, WE STILL HAVE FOOD, AND A ROOF OVER OUR HEAD, AND I THINK EVERY NIGHT. THANK YOU LORD!!!!

Please do not post in all caps. Thank you. -WNDU.com

Posted by: been there Location: Mishawaka on Jul 20, 2008 at 09:08 PM
I got laid-off in 1983 at 42 years of age after making good money with plenty of overtime for 20 years. It was very difficult especially mentally. I never got back to making decent money and retired as a janitor making about one-third of my previous earnings. I feel for all these folks (and businesses) that are going down because our idiot leaders gave our country to the foreigners for 30 pieces of silver. I read in the financial magazines that China's living standards are going up 24% yr. while ours falls. They save 37% of income while we have a negative saving rate. Check out youTube and other Web sites.and get mad and give your reps. hell. Feel your pain and praying for you, fellow Americans.
Posted by: Lisa Location: Elkhart on Jul 20, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Well guess the monaco workers are the nly ones who lost jobs in the last year. Goverment needs to do more to look into the gas problems. Trucking company's have the same people like the rv industry. Look at Alvan Trucking and many others who have shut there doors over the last few years.
Posted by: William Location: Elkhart on Jul 20, 2008 at 08:23 PM
Anyone can go to Workforce Development. If it gives a little hope to such a large number of people who've lost their jobs all at once, go for it. Why would anyone be so bitter to criticize an attempt to bring hope and direction to the Monaco? As the RV industry continues to spin down, more and more folks will need help. I say let's give them all the help we can!
Posted by: Homeless Location: In. on Jul 20, 2008 at 08:03 PM
Alot of people wont do the work that the illegals are doing. Will you find an american working in the hot and dry fields from sun up to dark? no. will you live in a two bedroom mobil home with ten or twelve others? no. Maybe they have the right answer, if you think about it, you work for sixty hours a week, take home six hundred dollars, but your rent is only 30.00 per week you split the food bill and utilities. that makes you save about 500.00 per week.
Posted by: Pamela Storer Location: Goshen on Jul 20, 2008 at 07:43 PM
I am wondering what I can do to help Monaco workers. I am the branch manager for Woodforest National Bank and I am hiring 1 employee at my branch in Goshen. Anyone wanting to apply for the position can apply at Woodforest.com We are new to Indiana and we have outstnding growth. Do you know how I could get in touch with someone at Monaco?
Posted by: Why? Location: In. on Jul 20, 2008 at 07:25 PM
What happened to our state? At one time, this used a very good place to live and raise a family, now it has turned into a bad place. Years ago, south bend was a booming city, and so was the other cities around it. Every person that has ran for some kind of office,has made our people a promis, in one way or another. Were they telling the truth, or was it a lie? What happened to the money from the sell of the toll road, the money from the wheel tax, the money from the property tax? Can anyone answer those questions? How many pockets did the people of this state line? Other states really dont have this problem. The gas prices has jumped way to high, every where. Everything has went up in price. its not too late to save this great state, we call home. We still have some factories left, lets not run them away.
Posted by: chris Location: Bremen on Jul 20, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Why is Workforce Development working with just the Monaco human resource people? There are hundreds of people from NewMar and other RV companies who need the help also. Theese workers are not just from Elhart county, but from Marshall,Starke, St.Joe and other surrounding counties. Why exclude all the other people, just because they did'nt get layoff at Monaco.
Posted by: wilber Location: south bend on Jul 20, 2008 at 03:57 PM
How many of those are legal to work here to begin with,I was here in the 80s when you could not buy a job, but we made it thru the hard times, we did not do it buy spending our money on things we did not need but what it took to get by. we still live with that in our minds. Bottom line "why does the state think they need to pay the bill for those who will not take care of themselves ?" I will do all I can to help those who will try........those who think it should be handed to them will never better themselves.
Posted by: Nancy Location: Nappanee on Jul 20, 2008 at 03:08 PM
Mutchlers shut down in 1994. I was out of a job. I am a nurse now. I went for the training.
Posted by: L Location: Anywhere on Jul 20, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Feel sorry for them..now they have deal with the unemployment office,one of the most incompetent government offices.They're idiots.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 20, 2008 at 01:55 PM
To annoyed at 8:37: I don't think Monaco is getting "special treatment". The workforce devopment is not offering them anything more than they offer anyone else. That's what is funny about Mitch's comment; the workforce development offers unemployment benefits to any qualified unemployed person and they offer training to those who want or need it. The ONLY thing that is happening differently with Monaco is that they plan to go out to Monaco and help them file their initial claims and answer questions. This is something that is done quite often, when requested, especially for large lay offs or shut downs. Generally a union or the company makes this request as a gesture to the employees to streamline their loss & need for benefits. Mitch didn't do a stinking thing here EXCEPT jump in to make a media comment and take credit for something he had nothing to do with!
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 20, 2008 at 12:59 PM
I have an idea, send all the illegal workers back across the border, and there will be plenty of jobs for the Monaco employees that are going to get laid off.
Posted by: ex travel supreme employee Location: local on Jul 20, 2008 at 12:58 PM
do you really think these people will go for training,i dont think so..After travel supreme shut the doors there we were offerd the same thing and as far as i know i am the only one who went for the training..
Posted by: David Location: Elkhart on Jul 20, 2008 at 11:24 AM
We don't need NEW POLITICIANS in office we need a regular person in office someone that really cares and someone that can understand how the working class people feel.
Posted by: Unemployed R.V. worker Location: Wakarusa on Jul 20, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Are you kidding me i dont need training i need a job. I have bills to pay now and feed my kids. Im still waiting on unemployment from the end of June. I have no idea where Mitch Daniels gets his fairy tale ideas. But i do know about 5000 R.V. WORKERS that would love to kick him in the ass.
Posted by: annoyed on Jul 20, 2008 at 08:37 AM
Why do Monaco workers get special treatment? When Coachmen laid off and shut down their Class A division, nobody got special treatment then. When Technical Space shut down years ago, it wasn't mentioned in any news media. You have to remember that no matter the size of the employer, the ones who are put out of work don't necessarily deserve extra help that tax dollars will pay for. It's not anybody else's fault that I lost my job due to layoff from Coachmen, and I did not expect somebody else to shed a tear and give me anything more than what I was entitled to when I drew unemployment.
Posted by: Broke Location: south bend on Jul 20, 2008 at 06:58 AM
How much money does our state leaders make per year, mitch? Just how many leaders do we have? All we need is one, one good man to lead this state out of poverty. We need a man that will not lie to the people. we need a man, or woman to get this state out of the red and into the green. Being a leader is like a foreman of a factory, If that man is not doing his job, then he should be fired, and a new foreman should be brought in, to get the company on its feet. A football team has lost the season, the owner fires his head coach.Mitch, if you have people in the office that are not doing their jobs, then fire them. That is a simple plan, isnt it? Now find out just how bad this state is in debt,tyr to keep those factories here, instaed of moving to another state, YOU CAN DO IT, MITCH
Posted by: WASTING AWAY Location: south bend on Jul 20, 2008 at 06:46 AM
Over the last four years, I have seen this state go from good to bad. I have seen jobs fall, places going out of business,more homes EMPTY, because of no money.Crime rate gone up, because of people trying to survive,Whats your answer Mitch? Do we need to hire some one from the streets to lead? How many rich people are getting richer? In 2001, I saw this state booming with growth.people was happier, they had some thing to grow on.Mitch, you need to go to the bad sides of this stste and take a good, hard look at what used to be a good place to live,then get back too me. On every city block in south bend, you will see at least one home empty, boarded up, why? I just HOPE that these comm