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National Pen to cut 67 jobs

T-G STAFF REPORT
Posted 1/24/23

National Pen in Shelbyville is reducing its workforce and ceasing manufacturing operations and production beginning March 30 and lasting through May 31.

According to a Worker Adjustment and …

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National Pen to cut 67 jobs

Posted

National Pen in Shelbyville is reducing its workforce and ceasing manufacturing operations and production beginning March 30 and lasting through May 31.

According to a Worker Adjustment and Retaining Notification letter that was sent to the County Mayor’s office on Jan. 16, some portions of the facility will remain open. However, 67 employees will be terminated as a result. Many of those jobs include decorator and assembly operator.

National Pen has been in operation in Tennessee for over 50 years. The Shelbyville location experienced a restructuring in January 2020 that affected 59 jobs.

According to Kelly North with the Shelbyville-Bedford Partnership, National Pen has locations around the world including Ireland, Jamaica, and Mexico.

The WARN letter states, “No union represents the affected employees, and ‘bumping rights’ (that, the right to avoid termination by displacing another employee) do not exist for the affected employees.”

Response plan

The Shelbyville-Bedford Partnership put out a “National Pen Job Loss Response Plan” for those affected by the job losses.

They will provide support to National Pen by compiling a list of local job openings that match National Pen job loss. Currently, there are over 500 job openings in Bedford County.

They also hope to coordinate with the American Job Center (AJC) Shelbyville to assist the deployment of a Rapid Response Team.

This “Rapid Response Team” will consist of state and local representatives that can assist transitioning employees with: unemployment benefits, health insurance options, and state and federal assistance, and future employment.

The Partnership also hopes to coordinate with the American Job Center (AJC) in Lawrenceburg to provide two resume building workshops in February for transitioning employees. The AJC Lawrenceburg supplies a Mobile Coach equipped with computers, resources, and staff that can assist National Pen employees with resume building and job searches.

Additionally, the SBP plans to work with the South Central Tennessee Development District to schedule two American Job Center-supported onsite job fairs in March and May for transitioning employees.

They will also assist with recruiting local employers and supply connection to TN Reconnect for those who wish to “upskill.”