Monaco Coach slashes jobs in Wakarusa

by Sarah Rice (srice@wsbt.com)

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Monaco Coach in Wakarusa (WSBT Photo)

Monaco Coach in Wakarusa (WSBT Photo)

By WSBT News1

WAKARUSA -- RV manufacturer Monaco Coach handed out hundreds of pink slips. The Wakarusa company laid off 200 employees on Friday. The town manager estimates the company employs about 1,200 people. The cuts have already impacted one local business.

Chances are if you live or work in Wakarusa, you've heard of Cooks Pizza. Owners Steve and Barb Cooks say lunchtime is the slowest it's ever been.

"We'll probably scale back on the help, but it's unfortunate," said Cooks Pizza owner Steve Cooks.

The biggest factor: The recent layoffs at Monaco Coach, one of the area's largest employers.

"On Friday we notified those employees that were affected. We reduced our work force by about 200 employees," said Director of Corporate Communications Craig Wanichek.

Monaco Coach says the demand for RVs is slowing down.

"Overall the RV market has slowed this past year and the consumers out there are facing high fuel prices and some things like that," said Wanichek.

"It's just one of those times right now when it's bound to happen. It's going to affect a lot of people around here," said Wakarusa resident Brent Sonner.

But many remain optimistic about how much the layoffs will actually impact them.

"People drive here from Plymouth and Rochester, Elkhart, Goshen. The whole town I think will be behind any changes that happen with the big businesses around here," said Sonner.

"The town will get through it. They've been through things like this before," said Wakarusa resident Rolland Eby.

Monaco Coach says the market may begin to pick up with the recent interest rate cuts and lower gas prices. If that's the case, the company says they'll hire many of those people back.

Friday, Feb 29 at 6:11 PM Jackie in California wrote ...

Trying to help the good people of Indiana. We just bought an '09 Monaco! Great company and hang in there.

Tuesday, Jan 29 at 12:05 PM Your Just A Number wrote ...

This is what corporate America is all about. Whoever did not see this coming...is blind. The automakers are slashing jobs by the truck load and have been. Now there trying another round of hourly buyouts to replace with lower wage positions.

Monday, Jan 28 at 11:10 PM nite wrote ...

This is Indiana folks. You can be fired or laid off for ANY reason. Loyolty means NOTHING. You take these piece rate jobs knowing that. Either take the job and save for the down times or work at something else. Why don't people plan for the rough times? A good thing NEVER lasts.

Monday, Jan 28 at 6:20 PM Anonymous wrote ...

What I cannot believe is they are laying off employees with seniority and keeping those without. Probably keeping temps over those guys with 13 years. Couldn't they have offered those with seniority a cut in pay? Sad. Very sad. Seems highly unethical and if you ask me... should be a discrimination case.

Monday, Jan 28 at 12:06 PM No Fan of Eastern DST wrote ...

Now wait a minute here, I thought that Mike Yoder said that Elkhart Counties economy was the driving force in the area and we had to have Eastern time in order for that force to keep driving?? So we western St. Joe County people need to have timezone inconvience to convience you Elkhart folks. Personally, although I feel sorry for the workers I live for the day that China makes RV's sends them over here and sells them at Wal-Mart. Then we will see about the driving force of the area!!

Monday, Jan 28 at 11:04 AM K from Middlebury wrote ...

You were so right when you said this is the RV business you should be use to this. This always happens. If people would quit living past their means and actually something into savings it wouldn't hurt so bad. Don't get me wrong it will still hurt but at least you will be able to keep your head above water until the next wave comes in. We could all afford to scale back a little and stop keeping up with the Jones'. Hello they are in debt over their heads!

Sunday, Jan 27 at 11:30 PM BudgetNut wrote ...

I was laid off three weeks ago from a heavy equipment manufacturer, but I have an emergency fund to help sustain me and a part-time job. Planning, people, is what will help you through this. Check out www.daveramsey.com. Find a Financial Peace University class near you. I facilitate one at St. Vincent's in Elkhart. Next class starts Tuesday, January 29, at 6:30 PM. The cost is $100. The classes are 2 hours long and last 13 weeks. This is no get rich scheme. Learn how to dump debt and build $$$.

Sunday, Jan 27 at 9:50 PM watcher wrote ...

this country as a whole has over spent its self, in almost every aspect.the layoffs in the RV industry is just one of the canaries in the mine of things slowing down,we had over 7 yrs of plenty, now we are headed for possibly 7 yrs or more of lean times now,

Sunday, Jan 27 at 9:25 PM LITTLE O'L ME wrote ...

AS WE KNOW RUMOR HAS IT THAT MONACO COACH,IS PLANNING ANOTHER LAYOFF IN TWO WEEKS, OF COURSE THIS NEWS IS COMING THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE!!!EMPLOYEE'S THAT STILL WORK THERE HEARD THIS LAST WEEK.. I WISH ALL THE MONACO EMPLOYEE'S TO HANG IN THERE AND, PRAY THAT THIS IS NOT TRUE. GOD BLESS YOU ALL...BUT THE EMPLOYEE'S WERE TOLD NOT TO WORRY THEY DID HAVE ALOT OF ORDERS SO I LEAVE YOU WITH A FINAL THOUGHT , DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING THEY SAY....

Sunday, Jan 27 at 9:14 PM Plain twenty something wrote ...

My heart goes out to those people who are going to be out of a job.

Sunday, Jan 27 at 7:57 PM Mr. L wrote ...

I also think the housing market will be next to lay off. When ever this country has an election year, our economy slows down. Doesn't matter who's in office. When Jimmy Carter was president, this country nearly went into a depression.You haven't seen anything yet!

Sunday, Jan 27 at 4:32 PM Just Me... wrote ...

Julie and Mitch...I'm laughing way loud! Just as most everyone else that reads this article about the R.V. buisness... We hate to break this to you both... but the R.V. business is not Union organized or run... LOL! And China has nothing to do with the Recreation vehicle business either... well maybe some of the screw's and washers....lol...

Sunday, Jan 27 at 4:02 PM Julie wrote ...

Repeat after me, "We are not in a recession". That works for Bush & Mitch why doesn't it work for you people? The day the union becomes strong again and the day this country realizes that we can't live like high rollers while we send our work to China, is the day we will regain this country! Until then...you think it's bad now - just wait...it's only just beginning.

Sunday, Jan 27 at 3:33 PM Just Me... wrote ...

Cont.Pete,I also must say that of course we all read the news and realize gas prices, the economy etc.is hurting the R.V. business, and we all understand that. But..we also made the apparent mistake of listening to our supervisors, plant managers etc. that tell us that we have more orders than what apparently we do..you big owners,corporations,etc. are not the only ones trying to feed families, and trying to pay the bills.And for the record,My wife and I did not get layed off.Just seeing it all!

Sunday, Jan 27 at 3:19 PM Mitch wrote ...

Abolish Unions! The non union car builders are flourishing in the US and the employees are happy and love their jobs.

Sunday, Jan 27 at 3:16 PM Just Me... wrote ...

Pete, I have to disagree with you on this one.Over the last 3-4 yrs.Ive seen R.V.'s get bigger,more labor intensive and requiring more people to do the work.People keep getting the new jobs added to their already hard load that they were hired to do for X amount of $.Now the work load is up higher than ever,and the pay is going down..and that was before the drop in production etc.Now it is really hitting hard as the layoff's are given so unexpected.The companys say all ok!just to keep us going!

Sunday, Jan 27 at 1:09 PM jim wrote ...

I think we are looking at the big D, remember a recession is when your nieghbor gets layed off, its a depression when your the one without a job, thing is everyone, both political parties are screwing the pooch(american workers)so dont expect who ever gets in office to give american workers any help, just lip service

Sunday, Jan 27 at 11:49 AM c wrote ...

wow thanks again bush

Sunday, Jan 27 at 11:00 AM affected wrote ...

My husband was laid off Friday from his job at a RV company. Most of the employees were. And it wasn't Monocco, or Forest River, or any of the above mentioned. I think our economy is in BIG trouble. And I am scared we could lose our home.

Sunday, Jan 27 at 10:28 AM someone in the know wrote ...

It's not surprising-economic situations in US have always shown that the Elk. economy is the first to be affected. Gas prices, lay-offs, reduced bonuses have to have been detrimental. Agreed, it has been completely-as usual- swept under the carpet by the news media. I feel sorry for Cooks and the RV employees. Property taxes will have an affect on the rest of the citizens of Elk.County and really put us in a hole!

Sunday, Jan 27 at 10:04 AM howwy wrote ...

This is why RV workers must have a back up plan. This happens alot in the RV business. Expect the unexpected! It has never been a stable job market. They will find jobs. Just not as high paying as the RV factories pay. And you got paid good because it is hard work! I hope all the families will move on and get better jobs!

Sunday, Jan 27 at 8:55 AM pete wrote ...

Oh, there is more job cuts coming. The economy is failing badly. As far as pay, I disagree with the statement of less pay for more work. RV's pay one of the best piece rates of any industry. And, if you didn't see this coming. Then you are not watching the news.

Sunday, Jan 27 at 8:30 AM Larry M wrote ...

The Monaco layoff is just the begining. This area is the world's leader in recreation vehicles and the economy's situation is poor. You can only build so many for so long, there has to be a slow down eventually.

Sunday, Jan 27 at 8:15 AM c from travel supreme wrote ...

last wednesday travel supreme handed out checks and told us not to come back till mon..figure that one out..........

Saturday, Jan 26 at 11:43 PM Just Me... wrote ...

Strange how we are just hearing about this when it was told to the employee's of Monaco about a week ago... what about Travel Supreme? What about Forest River? and all the other plants that are being cut down? Employee's are losing job's left and right... two year's ago this would be major news. Now it seems to be "swept under the carpet". The work loads for employee's has more than doubled and yet the pay for most has become about 1/3d of what it was two years ago...How about some truth to us..

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