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December 22, 2009

Layoff continues for SEKRI workers

By Becky Manley / Staff Writer

About 80 workers at Southeastern Kentucky Rehabilitation Industries, Inc. will continue to be idled in January while the company awaits the renewal of a government contract.

The plant, located at 201 Opportunity Drive, Corbin, employs about 100, all of whom have been off work for a holiday shutdown that began Dec. 17, according to Norm Bradley, interim executive director for SEKRI.

SEKRI, a non-profit company, employs people with disabilities, Bradley said.

The bulk of the Corbin plant’s work is making caps and hats for the military, Bradley said. SEKRI is awaiting the renewal of its two biggest government contracts — for a patrol cap and an Air Force cap.

Bradley said he is confident the contracts will be renewed.

“I just don’t know the quantity and timing on that at this point,” he said.

The plant’s employees learned about the possibility of an extended layoff their last day of work on Dec. 16, Bradley said.

The holiday shutdown will end Jan. 4, when Bradley said it is likely up to 22 employees will return to work.

“It is completely our desire to get everybody back as quickly as we can,” he said.

Bradley said the plant has had holiday shutdowns before as well as periodic layoffs when contract renewals are due.

“So this isn’t anything new,” Bradley said. “It just happens to hit at a bad time of the year.”

SEKRI also has a second Corbin plant in addition to other production facilities in Barbourville, Williamsburg, Cumberland, Paris and Jellico, Tenn.

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