Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 12, 1993 TAG: 9302120301
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
HARVEY WANTS CITY TO HELP RECENT JOBLESS
Roanoke Councilman James Harvey wants the city government to show that it is concerned about the hundreds of workers who have lost their jobs recently in the Roanoke Valley.He wants the city to provide whatever assistance it can for workers who have been displaced because of the recession, plant closings or mergers.
"We need to demonstrate that we feel for these people - and do what we can to help," Harvey told City Council this week.
The city should work just as hard to help these people as it does in seeking new businesses and industries, Harvey said.
He wants the city to establish a phone hot line to answer questions and provide information about services that are available to those seeking a new job.
Job-training programs are available for economically disadvantaged people through the Fifth District Employment and Training Consortium, he said.
Federal funds are provided for job-training programs at Virginia Western Community College, Total Action Against Poverty and other agencies.
The consortium provides the training for residents in nine localities from the Roanoke Valley to the Alleghany Highlands.
But Harvey said there is a need for more assistance for middle-income and management people who have lost their jobs.
"We don't have much in place for these type of people," he said.
Harvey suggested that the city might establish a fund to help pay part of the tuition for displaced workers. He has asked City Manager Bob Herbert for a report on the issue.
The layoffs include 850 people who will lose their jobs as a result of the acquisition of Dominion Bankshares by First Union Corp.; 400 by the closing of the Gardner-Denver plant; and 1,200 by the closing of the Sears Telecatalog Center.