American Airline employees prepare for more layoffs

More layoffs at American Airlines. After some 300 layoffs last Friday, Tulsa's largest employer is expected to announce Friday that more workers will lose their jobs. <br><br>News on Six reporter

Thursday, October 4th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

More layoffs at American Airlines. After some 300 layoffs last Friday, Tulsa's largest employer is expected to announce Friday that more workers will lose their jobs.

News on Six reporter Glenda Silvey says American hosted two sessions Thursday to help dislocated workers get back on track as quickly and easily as possible. After the terror attacks, layoffs in the airline industry came as no surprise. Still, some 300 Tulsa American Airlines workers suddenly faced a situation most of them didn't expect once hired by the city's largest employer. Sue Stoll, American Airlines: "I think at this stage many of our employees are in shock. They are just stunned that something like this could happen to a company as strong as American Airlines, and they're affected personally."

Some 200 of the laid off workers took advantage of two Rapid Response sessions hosted by American Airlines. State and local agencies were on hand to guide workers through unemployment filing, job placement and retraining opportunities. "This is a path forward, and that's what we intended to do is help them immediately - help them with their job search efforts and make resources available to them that will assist them."

Carol Etame says she's upset about what the terror attacks did to the company she's worked for three years. As a single parent, she's concerned about how she'll provide for her family. "This event that is happening right now makes me feel a little bit more secure. And I feel very confident that with all the help that we will get, we will survive." Elizabeth Jameson: "I knew, sort of, kind of, that it was coming because I'd only been with American three years."

Elizabeth Jameson loved her accounting job, and is having a hard time coping with the loss and change. She appreciated the information session; especially help with filing for unemployment. "Makes it kind of nice that I don't have to fill out all those forms, that the company has already done it for us."

The Jamesons say they feel overwhelmed, but optimistic about the decision they've made.