Workforce staffers from across the region helped hundreds of Farmland workers Tuesday with unemployment insurance forms during the first day of sign-up at the Albert Lea Union Center.

Wednesday, July 11, 2001

Workforce staffers from across the region helped hundreds of Farmland workers Tuesday with unemployment insurance forms during the first day of sign-up at the Albert Lea Union Center.

More than 200 workers streamed into the building in the first two hours, many with their spouses or children in tow. Long tables were crowded with applicants, many scratching their heads over the six-page application.

Minnesota Workforce area manager Joseph Kurtzman said most of the Farmland workers can expect a check in about three weeks equaling roughly 50 percent of their average gross earnings. Benefits usually last up to 26 weeks.

Though the workforce center offers the option of applying over the phone or the Internet, Kurtzman was not surprised by the number of people who chose to come to the Union Center to apply.

&uot;A lot of people like to fill out unemployment applications with someone on hand to help,&uot; he said.

According to Lowell Johnson of the Minnesota Department of Economic Security in St. Paul, the Farmland fire will probably qualify for an extension of some kind, so workers can continue to receive their benefits until the plant reopens.

&uot;That hasn’t been decided yet – there’s still a lot we need to find out – but it looks like this situation would qualify,&uot; he said.

Retired job service area manager Paul Ehlers volunteered to answer questions during the sign up sessions. He said local unemployment offices have had to react quickly to many mass-unemployment situations over the years.

&uot;We’ve done this many times with various plant shutdowns and layoffs. We’ve learned how to respond pretty quickly,&uot; Ehlers said.

Ehlers and other staff members, some from as far away as Faribault, circulated the room answering questions and offering assistance as Farmland workers completed their forms. Bilingual helpers were also available to help Spanish-speakers.

&uot;That’s another concern here, and another reason we set up these sign-up days. Even with the language barriers, we can usually manage to communicate and get the applications done,&uot; Ehlers said.

Many families will use the unemployment insurance for a short time, until they have more information about the future of the Farmland plant, Ehlers said. Then they may decide to find work elsewhere.

&uot;There is a lot of work out there right now, but I’m sure a lot of people would prefer to go back to their old jobs,&uot; he said.

Sign up continues today at the Union Center from 1:30-3:30 p.m.