O'Sullivan Industries in Lamar, Missouri submitted a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) letter April 17, 2007 announcing the closure of the O’Sullivan Furniture plan as soon as July, no later than October of 2007.   Approximately 735 workers will have lost their jobs when the plant ceases operations.

Rapid Response meetings were conducted for all plant personnel in May and June 2007.   All workers are eligible for outplacement services under the Dislocated Worker Program. In addition, a National Emergency Grant (NEG) has been applied for by the Missouri Division of Workforce Development (DWD) to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to provide additional assistance to O’Sullivan employees.  A job fair was held June 28, 2007 by the MO Career Center in the Lamar Memorial Hall. More than 24 businesses from across a four state area participated in the hiring event.

Missouri Southern State University in Joplin has completed a deal with O’Sullivan Industries to allow former employees, their spouses and children, a 50% tuition break.   Workers should visit their nearest Missouri Career Center for more information on finding new employment and retraining opportunities.