North American Communications Abruptly Closes

After nearly 40 years in business, North American Communications, a direct mail company in Duncansville, abruptly shut its doors last week, leaving nearly 300 employees stunned and facing an uncertain future.

According to employee Nancy Hurley, 50, of Alexandria, who worked in the lettershop, Monday, May 20, was just like any other workday for the employees.

"We went to work on Monday.We were busy because we were in the middle of some big jobs that needed completed," she said. "And then at 2:45 p.m., the owner called a mandatory meeting and we all gathered in the breakroom."

As the employees settled in the breakroom, the company's owner, Rob Herman, came in and gave them the news that Hurley said filled the room with stunned silence.

"He (Herman) said he can't do it anymore, they were bankrupt, and he was sorry but that was it," Hurley said. "He said, 'don't come back, we aren't opening.'"

Hurley said the employees were in shock trying to process what just happened.

"It was devastating. I don't even know how else to word it other than devastating," she said.

Hurley said that adding to the confusion of the plant's closing was the fact that there had been a new-hire orientation that day. Eight new hires were given a tour of the plant. They were to start work the next week.

"It just came out of left field," she said. "We were actually on a hiring jack where they were hiring people. In fact, on the Monday [that] they closed, they had a group of new hires go through orientation and tour the plant."

Hurley said that the process of hiring was to hold orientation on Mondays with the new employees starting work the following Tuesday.

"Every Tuesday, we had new people starting," she said. "That's what makes me wonder how this came about so suddenly because why would Human Resources do orientation if they knew we were closing that day?"

It's not uncommon for a company that is experiencing work shortages or financial difficulties to have rumors of it closing seep into the workforce, but Hurley said that not only were there no rumors going around, but the company was so busy that along with the constant hiring of new employees, current workers were working mandatory seven days a week to keep up with the orders.

"No, not once did anyone ever suspect, or mention that we may shut down or be in trouble," she said. "Work wasn't slowing down at all. We were on mandatory overtime, working 10-hour days, seven days a week."

Hurley said that work was so plentiful that the company had just started another shift to keep up with the orders.

"They just started a second shift because we were so busy," she said. "That's what's messed up about this whole thing. They put on a second shift because of being so busy but then close so quickly."

Hurley said the plant, which did all phases of direct mailing from the printing, to stuffing the envelopes and mailing the finished product out through its own on-site post office, had some big clients it was in the middle of fulfilling orders for.

"We were literally in the middle of some huge jobs," she said. "We did all the mailings for Chase Bank and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Those were big ones."

The plant's closing not only brought an end to employees' paychecks, but it also leaves many former employees without health insurance, including Hurley.

"People lost their health insurance now," Hurley said. "The benefits is part of the reason I took the job. There are people who worked there mainly for the benefits."

Hurley's son, Clayton Stryker, worked as a machine mechanic and lost his job along with his mother, and although he has already found new employment, it is at a lower pay than what he was making at North American.

"My son loved it there," she said. "It was a perfect job for him."

Hurley said that she worked with a lot of people who have worked at the plants for more 25 years, and that for a lot of people it was not only their first job, but also their only job.

"Most of the people I worked with have been there for 25 to 30 years," she said. "There are several who have worked there since they got out of high school. It's the only job they knew."

Hurley said it took a few days to really process the fact she no longer has a job that paid her $13.50 per hour.

"Thursday it really sunk in," she said. "At first it felt like I just had some days off. And now it's like, 'OK now I have to go find another job.' You do what you have to do but I'm 50 years old. It's not as easy to find a job as it used to be."

Hurley is not the only former North American employee who is an older worker suddenly faced with rejoining the job search market.

"I'm not alone in that," she said. "There are many people there over 50 who have lost their jobs. Some over 60. It's just devastating."

Hurley said her next move is to take advantage of any resources available to help her navigate through this sudden change in her life.

"I called the unemployment office and when I told the lady on the phone that I lost my job on Monday, she knew right away I had worked at North American," Hurley said. "She said they were expecting a lot of calls from us. They are sending me a packet of information of things I need to know. I need to take advantage of the help that is available to us right now. Everyone does."

Information Session to Help Employees

To help those affected by the sudden closure of North American Communications, the Pa. Department of Labor's rapid response team will be holding an information session to show former employees their next steps.

The Rapid Response information session will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5, in the basement level of the Blair County Convention Center.

Those attending can get information about resources and programs that are available, including job search assistance, unemployment compensation, health care options and education and training programs.

Representatives from various local community service programs will be available following the session to speak with individuals and to answer any questions.

For more information contact the Pennsylvania Career Link at 940-6200.