In a shock to its 440-some employees, Sea Ray Boats told its ranks last month that it would be closing down operations over the next few weeks, with no possibility of reopening: Brunswick Corp., the Illinois-based company that owns Sea Ray, is dropping that subsidiary. It had attempted to sell the boat manufacturer. That fell through this year.
Sea Ray Boats is among Palm Coast’s largest private-sector employers. Since the announcement, several organizations, including Flagler County’s Department of Economic Opportunity, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, CareerSource Flagler Florida and others have coordinated appeals to Sea Ray employees who may be looking for work.
The response from the business community has been brisk enough that CareerSource is scheduling a job fair on July 13 from 9 to 2 p.m. at the gymnasium of Flagler Palm Coast High School off State Road 100. (The fair was originally going to be held at nearby Flagler Technical Institute.)
This job fair, CareerSource said today, will showcase businesses with open, ready-for-hire positions. Businesses interested in participating and individuals affected by the closure may visit CareerSource’s website for more information. Information may also be found on Flagler County economic development department’s website.
CareerSource Flagler Volusia offers tools to find jobs and advance careers for residents of Flagler and Volusia. On average, the organization provides nearly 2,427 job seekers each month with services such as an online job bank, career counseling, recruitment events, training, financial aid, career assessments and internships. It also assists an average of 233 employers each month with recruitment, retention and training.
The Flagler Sheriff’s Office last week alerted Sea Ray employees to job opportunities that include include Sworn Law Enforcement Deputies and Sworn Detention Deputies. Civilian job openings include Finance Manager, Communications Specialist (911 Center), and Closed-Circuit Television Operator (CCTV) in the jail. For part time work, there are openings for School Crossing Guards.
len says
Why should anybody not have known about the plant closing 60 days in advance of the closing date?
The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) protects workers, their families, and communities by requiring employers with 100 or more employees (generally not counting those who have worked less than six months in the last 12 months and those who work an average of less than 20 hours a week) to provide at least 60 calendar days advance written notice of a plant closing and mass layoff affecting 50 or more employees at a single site of employment. WARN makes certain exceptions to the requirements when layoffs occur due to unforeseeable business circumstances, faltering companies, and natural disasters. Advance notice gives workers and their families some transition time to adjust to the prospective loss of employment, to seek and obtain other jobs, and if necessary, to enter skill training or retraining that will allow these workers to compete successfully in the job market. Regular federal, state, local, and federally-recognized Indian Tribal government entities that provide public services are not covered.
Employees entitled to notice under WARN include managers and supervisors, as well as hourly and salaried workers. WARN requires that notice also be given to employees’ representatives, the local chief elected official, and the state dislocated worker unit.
DOL’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) administers WARN but has no enforcement role in seeking damages for workers who did not receive adequate notice of a layoff or received no notice at all. Some states have plant closure laws of their own. Employers considering a layoff can contact the State Dislocated Worker Unit to find out more information on notice requirements in their state
Jan Reeger says
While there is some misinformation floating around out there, one thing is for certain. I hear the SeaRay employees are touched and grateful for the response from our county and neighbors to offer jobs and try to help. Some are even holding jobs just for folks who need to stay at SeaRay until their release date. It makes me proud.
Mothersworry says
@Len
You make a real good point and have supplied great info. But you ask why nobody knew, pursuant to WARN they should have. As you point out DOL’s ETA has no enforcement role. So why should any company pay any attention to to it. It has no teeth. Perhaps if our state elected officials would step up and put pressure on Brunswick this whole thing could perhaps become a bit more worker friendly.
I’m interested in what provisions have been made for those out injured or on long term disability due to illness or injury. Is the state or feds doing anything to protect them?
Isn’t Rubios bus supposed to be around? Maybe if a couple of hundred laid off workers showed up at his bus he might be persuaded to help
Hayride says
I worked for company that had 300 workforce, and fired/letgo of 4+workers a week prior to firing 1/3 of the workforce, thereby skirting the law.
Anonymous says
the people at searay-from management all the way down to the work force felt entitled…i know-i worked there..
not a single person there felt as if they earned a position there,but felt they were entitled and would walk around acting high and mighty looking down on the peasant work force all over palm coast. now they join those ranks
no pity here
John Dolan esq. says
If I bought a Sea Ray boat, I would not be allowed to keep it in my yard because of Palm Coast code violations.
Jon says
They did the warn act, 60 days , August 24th is most people’s last day.
woody says
This is Floraduh the softest employment laws that I’ve seen.I can even get a pay check stub.
Jon says
Hope the company moves to a boat friendly county…..i did buy a boat cause i dont want to pay storage
Dave says
John Dolan you should try it out in Mondex, they allow you to park boats on your lawn
hawkeye says
agree with anonymous,the people that I know who work at sea ray do seem to have an attitude,however thats not the problem ,the problem is that sea ray boats are over priced pieces of crap. You can get a much better boat for less money 7 days a week.
Bill says
“John Dolan esq. says:
July 6, 2018 at 11:38 am
If I bought a Sea Ray boat, I would not be allowed to keep it in my yard because of Palm Coast code violations.”
NOT just a Sea Ray boat but ANY boat cant be stored on your property unless its in the garage. One of the many GOOD codes in PC to keep it looking nice.
Anonymous says
i worked in manufacturing for over 20 years. Unfortunately i do feel empathy for the families affected, but the reality is manufacturing is about lean operation and zero waste. Do not blame the county. The company did it for logistic reasons. I have been laid off twice in Manufacturing so i know what it feels like.
Do you know what i did. i didn’t feel sorry for myself and found another job, even if it meant driving an hour away. ( i actually enjoyed the commute to get way.)
To all the Sea Ray employees Take the opportunity and move away if needed and find new friends and see a different place. There is so much more than Sea Ray. Be brave and take risk. I can tell you from experience you people knew this was coming. You should of prepared yourself
best of luck