Support for Turner
Industries
In the short time I have been in Paris, much of my time has
been spent on a whirlwind meet-and-greet tour with a focus on understanding
Paris' mix of business and industry, as well as our strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities and threats. By
nature, I am a positive and upbeat person. When you are the salesman and head cheer leader for the
community, you must always look for the positive aspects to promote and ways to
turn lemons into lemonade.
I have been on the job at PEDC for about 100 days. I am happy to be here and I appreciate
the overwhelming support that I continue to receive from business and community
leaders. Speaking of lemonade, we
have worked through a bylaws controversy and we are stronger for it. We are facing a major layoff at Sara
Lee that will have a significant impact on many individuals and their
families. Paris is coming together
to support Sara Lee with every effort to retain and grow those good jobs and,
most importantly, respond to the laid-off workers to help them re-tool and find
other opportunities in the workforce.
This week we received news that the EEOC has made a
determination on the discrimination allegations at Turner Industries (Turner). I haven't seen the details of this
report, but I have talked with many people about the situation, both inside and
outside of Turner. It is important
that Paris' citizens, community leaders and employers of all sizes and across
all industries remain vigilant to ensure respect for people regardless of their
age, race, gender and any other difference that we have. This is the 21st Century and
we need to act like it!
I want to point out what I have observed about Turner
Industries in my first 100 days:
1.
Turner's Paris facility is the largest pipe
fabrication manufacturing facility of its kind in the United States.
a.
While Turner is a privately held company, they
are a certified MWBE (Minority and Women Business Enterprise).
b.
Turner has a reputation in Paris of being a "second chance" employer - that is they have a practice of hiring individuals
who have criminal records or who have been incarcerated. Turner has many examples right here in
Paris where their employees have been given an opportunity to turn their lives
around and become productive citizens of our community.
2.
Turner's local management team is proactive and
very engaged in the Paris community, providing leadership among their
industrial management peers.
a.
Working with PJC, PISD, Workforce Solutions
Northeast Texas and the Texas Workforce Commission, Turner has developed training
programs, conducted internships and opened their facility to teacher training - with the goal of cultivating a skilled workforce and creating opportunities for
Paris' citizens and youth.
b.
Turner worked through the Paris Industrial
Manager's Forum and in collaboration with PEDC and Workforce Solutions
Northeast Texas to develop a community-wide diversity training program. This innovative training program can
(and should) be used by all employers for their new hires as well as existing
employees and management.
3.
After the alleged incident, I understand the
following internal actions were taken:
a.
Turner completed a full investigation into all
accusations made at the plant.
b.
A nationally-recognized attorney's independent
investigation revealed no worker was subject to discrimination or retaliation.
c.
Turner formed an internal diversity taskforce to
make recommendations for changes and improvements.
4.
Turner Industries has cooperated with the EEOC
throughout this entire investigation, but it does not appear that the EEOC has
given consideration to Turner's proactive efforts. It is very unfortunate that this has happened, and I fear
that it could threaten Turner's future investment and job growth plans at their
Paris facility.
I believe that Turner has zero tolerance for any behavior in
the work place that disparages any employee. The Paris Economic Development Corporation (PEDC) and our
community leaders must support Turner and all of our businesses and industries,
and take every action possible to help retain and expand jobs for the citizens
of Paris and Lamar County.
After 100 excellent days in Paris, just like Turner
Industries, we must all remain steadfast in our commitment to creating and
maintaining a professional workplace (and community) atmosphere that reinforces
our collective commitment to equality, fairness and tolerance.
Please pass the lemonade!
Steve Gilbert, Executive Director
Paris Economic Development Corporation
