By Allison Peck | North Platte Post/Sandhills Post
LINCOLN, NE — Governor Jim Pillen provided an update Thursday on ongoing state efforts to assist workers affected by the upcoming closure of the Tyson meat processing plant in Lexington, highlighting new resources, events, and a dedicated hotline to help displaced employees.
Over the past two weeks, more than 1,600 individuals attended Rapid Response layoff services and job fairs held at the Dawson County Fairgrounds and Lexington Middle School. These events were designed to provide timely information, connect workers with employment opportunities, and ensure access to workforce and supportive services. Nearly 600 individuals have also registered on the Department of Labor’s employment website, NEworks.nebraska.gov.
“Lexington has been and will continue to be an all-American community. We want to make sure of that,” Gov. Pillen said. “The state is engaging to the greatest extent possible to help people meet immediate needs and identify employment opportunities.”
Commissioner of Labor Katie Thurber, who attended several of the Rapid Response and job fairs, praised the participation of Tyson employees.
“They are demonstrating Nebraska’s strong work ethic and are taking the steps necessary to transfer their skills within our state,” Thurber said. “This response has demonstrated the value of aligning Rapid Response layoff services, job fairs, and registration support into a coordinated, sustained effort that will hopefully prove beneficial to the workers and their families.”
State agencies are working with local partners, employers, community organizations, and volunteers to provide information on workforce programs, unemployment insurance, training and retraining opportunities, and community services including SNAP, Medicaid, and Employment First programs.
Erick Carrillo, director of reemployment services at the Department of Labor, emphasized the collaborative approach. “What stands out to me is that the state agencies are giving people options,” Carrillo said. “We are helping people identify ways that they can make the most of this situation and we are partnering with them through the entire process, which looks different for each affected worker.”
More than 150 employers have participated in the response efforts, attending job fairs and outreach events. Employers are encouraged to post job openings at NEworks.nebraska.gov. A summary of available positions and participating employers is also available at the Department of Economic Development’s Lexington resources page: opportunity.nebraska.gov/Lexington.
Gov. Pillen also announced a new hotline to help Lexington workers navigate programs and services available through Health and Human Services and the Department of Labor. Language assistance is available. The hotline number is 308-407-1517.
“My team is working to eliminate barriers to accessing important resources,” Pillen said. “The hotline aims to streamline access for individuals with questions regarding programs that may benefit them most during this time.”
Upcoming events for Tyson employees will be held at the Dawson County Fairgrounds, including NEworks sessions to assist with registration and job fairs to connect workers with employers. Scheduled dates include:
- Dec. 29: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., NEworks Session
- Jan. 8: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., NEworks Session; 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., Job Fair
- Jan. 9: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., NEworks Session; 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., Job Fair
- Jan. 15: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., NEworks Session; 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., Job Fair
- Jan. 16: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., NEworks Session; 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., Job Fair
The coordinated efforts by the state aim to ensure displaced workers and their families have support and access to new opportunities as Lexington prepares for the plant closure.