Teamworks grant invites Latinos
Lu Ann Hurd-Lof
Park Rapids Enterprise - 07/25/2006
Teamworks, Inc., Park Rapids has been awarded two Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) Program grants of 22 grants given statewide to support thousands of incumbent and lower-income workers in receiving customized workplace training.
The MJSP Board awarded $3.8 million to such programs.
“These grants represent important economic development initiatives for the State of Minnesota,” said acting commissioner and MJSP Board chair Ward Einess.
“In particular, the ongoing development of English-language skills among incumbent and lower-income workers lessens the barrier to their success and is critical to continued growth in our demand industries and services.”
One of the grants to Teamworks and TEAM Industries, Detroit Lakes and Audubon, will fund new machinist curriculum to support the growth of a Latino machinist labor force.
“This will be the first Spanish machinist program in the state,” said Kathy Carney, Teamworks CEO.
“We’re finding not enough people to fill these skilled jobs,” Carney said. Citing a low unemployment rate of 3 percent, she said, “We figure we have to look at innovative ways to recruit new employees.
“We believe the Latino population has been underutilized and will often take jobs others won’t. We also think Latinos have the same aspirations and goals for career mobility and pay that everyone else has.”
Teamworks has begun placing ads seeking documented workers with some English skills and an interest in manufacturing jobs in some newspapers written for Spanish-speaking populations. They also are recruiting in Minnesota communities with a Latino population, including Willmar, Pelican Rapids, St. Cloud and Owatonna.
In addition, Carney and Rosalie Hjermstad, Park Rapids, a consultant with Teamworks and the Midwest Minnesota Community Development Corp., will be going to colleges in Brownsville, TX to seek candidates for further training.
Initially, the grant would fund 65 trainees in on-the-job training for foundry; computer numerical controlled lathe and CNC mill operations; English for manufacturing; and technical training.
The second grant awarded to Teamworks is for $173,250 to recruit, assess and train 75 eligible low-income workers to become CNC machine operators. These trainees will be recruited from Red Lake, White Earth and Leech Lake reservations and the surrounding area, Carney said.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
JUDGE RULES FOR LABONTE-AGAIN
Judge rules for LaBonte - again
Lu Ann Hurd-Lof Park Rapids Enterprise
Published Friday, July 07, 2006
Judge Jay D. Mondry recently denied motions by TEAM Industries in the age discrimination case brought by Edward LaBonte and awarded LaBonte’s attorney fees and costs.
Mondry heard the original case last summer. LaBonte claimed he was wrongfully fired during a round of layoffs at the Park Rapids plant in early 2003. He and others over the age of 50 were among 32 terminated employees.
TEAM insisted the layoffs were nondiscriminatory and were necessary due to a work slowdown.
In February, Mondry found for LaBonte and ordered TEAM to pay LaBonte front and back pay of $254,250 plus attorney’s fees.
Shortly after the judge’s order was issued, TEAM’s attorney Alec Beck of Minneapolis moved for either a new trial or a change in the court’s findings. He also challenged the court’s decision to award LaBonte’s attorney’s fees and costs.
Mondry’s latest order was filed June 28.
TEAM had claimed LaBonte’s efforts to find another job were less than adequate so he should not be awarded front and back pay.
In arriving at his decision, the judge upheld his earlier determination that LaBonte was not required to take any position that was offered, that “finding suitable employment in Park Rapids cannot be compared to finding employment in the Twin Cities” and Team provided no evidence that LaBonte turned down positions or hesitated to secure subsequent employment.
The order also addressed TEAM’s arguments that LaBonte’s attorney, Stephen Cooper, Minneapolis, had not met all the requirements to prove a case of age discrimination.
For example, TEAM argued Cooper failed to prove he was qualified for the job in question and claimed they offered LaBonte an opportunity to be rehired and he declined.
Mondry wrote, “The defendants (TEAM) can not have it both ways. Clearly the evidence demonstrates the plaintiff (LaBonte) was in fact a qualified person for the position.”
Further, the judge found LaBonte “has met his burden of proof and established that age discrimination was a causative factor in the decision to terminate him.”
Another point of contention had been TEAM’s use of a “forced ranking” system to measure each employee’s performance. This system was used to determine which employees were laid off.
The forced ranking system negatively affected older workers but was used even though other alternatives were available to the employer, Mondry’s order states.
The order also awards attorney’s fees and costs of $237,494.
In March, Beck said TEAM would file an appeal regardless of whether motions before the court in Hubbard County were granted or not.
This week, the LaBontes said they expect TEAM will appeal.
Lu Ann Hurd-Lof Park Rapids Enterprise
Published Friday, July 07, 2006
Judge Jay D. Mondry recently denied motions by TEAM Industries in the age discrimination case brought by Edward LaBonte and awarded LaBonte’s attorney fees and costs.
Mondry heard the original case last summer. LaBonte claimed he was wrongfully fired during a round of layoffs at the Park Rapids plant in early 2003. He and others over the age of 50 were among 32 terminated employees.
TEAM insisted the layoffs were nondiscriminatory and were necessary due to a work slowdown.
In February, Mondry found for LaBonte and ordered TEAM to pay LaBonte front and back pay of $254,250 plus attorney’s fees.
Shortly after the judge’s order was issued, TEAM’s attorney Alec Beck of Minneapolis moved for either a new trial or a change in the court’s findings. He also challenged the court’s decision to award LaBonte’s attorney’s fees and costs.
Mondry’s latest order was filed June 28.
TEAM had claimed LaBonte’s efforts to find another job were less than adequate so he should not be awarded front and back pay.
In arriving at his decision, the judge upheld his earlier determination that LaBonte was not required to take any position that was offered, that “finding suitable employment in Park Rapids cannot be compared to finding employment in the Twin Cities” and Team provided no evidence that LaBonte turned down positions or hesitated to secure subsequent employment.
The order also addressed TEAM’s arguments that LaBonte’s attorney, Stephen Cooper, Minneapolis, had not met all the requirements to prove a case of age discrimination.
For example, TEAM argued Cooper failed to prove he was qualified for the job in question and claimed they offered LaBonte an opportunity to be rehired and he declined.
Mondry wrote, “The defendants (TEAM) can not have it both ways. Clearly the evidence demonstrates the plaintiff (LaBonte) was in fact a qualified person for the position.”
Further, the judge found LaBonte “has met his burden of proof and established that age discrimination was a causative factor in the decision to terminate him.”
Another point of contention had been TEAM’s use of a “forced ranking” system to measure each employee’s performance. This system was used to determine which employees were laid off.
The forced ranking system negatively affected older workers but was used even though other alternatives were available to the employer, Mondry’s order states.
The order also awards attorney’s fees and costs of $237,494.
In March, Beck said TEAM would file an appeal regardless of whether motions before the court in Hubbard County were granted or not.
This week, the LaBontes said they expect TEAM will appeal.
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