Some laid-off RV workers get a second chance

by Ed Ernstes (ernstes@wsbt.com)

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Monaco's RV Service Center in Elkhart closed this summer, but Florida-based Turning Wheel RV Center has re-opened the facility and is hiring. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Oct 3, 2008 at 3:37 PM EST

Story Updated: Oct 8, 2008 at 10:49 PM EST

ELKHART — Former RV workers are back on the job at one facility in Elkhart County, and there are still openings left.

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Monaco's RV Service Center in Elkhart closed this summer, leaving all of its workers without a job. But some of them may now get a second chance, thanks to an outside company.

"I was really excited for this opportunity to come along,” said Roger Watkins of South Bend.

Life has come back to the RV motor home service center.

"We're looking to be fully functional, hopefully within the next 30 days,” said Facility Manager Phil Lord, who was rehired.

The Monaco Coach operation closed this summer; but now Florida-based Turning Wheel RV Center has re-opened the facility and is bringing back laid-off workers.

“We've acquired 25, approximately, employees, most of which — all but one — were employees in the service center that was here before,” Lord explained. “We're looking at probably getting ourselves up to about 60 employees.”

For the former Monaco workers who were laid off, to come back and work in the same building at their same job is a dream come true.

“I was totally concerned with what my future held,” said Roger Watkins of South Bend, who was also rehired. “Not knowing how the RV industry was going to pan out, I was looking at other alternatives.”

"We were all sweating the inevitable end,” said rehired worker J.D. Shirey of Elkhart. “This has been a great opportunity — people coming into our community saying, ‘Hey, we're not giving up on you.’"

Even workers laid off from other companies hope to land some of the remaining jobs.

“I was hoping to come here,” Elkhart’s Keith Jellison told WSBT News. Jellison is applying for one of the open positions after being laid off twice this year. “I've got my mortgage and car payment and my wife is concerned about the house payment. We don't want to lose our home. We've lived there 24 years."

The service center is currently taking applications to fill the remaining jobs. The positions are open to any one who is qualified, including laid-off workers from Monaco plants in Nappanee and Wakarusa.

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