Jockey speaks with "forked" tongue

Jockey International's best-kept secret was released last Wednesday morning on an unsuspecting workforce and community, creating havoc and disbelief among all. The announcement that 203 workers at the local plant would lose their jobs to foreign counterparts is devastating.

Jockey International has been a major employer of the citizens of this county for over 55 years, providing a means of financial security for approximately 300 persons. The sudden removal of that financial support will have an enormous economic impact upon the workers, their families and this community.

Adding insult to injury is the fact that Jockey President and Chief Operating Officer Ed Emma only last year told employees and The Millen News that approval of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) would provide security for local jobs. Jockey top executives even lobbied Congressman John Barrow with the same message, seeking his approval of the legislation.

CAFTA was approved, yet the local Jockey jobs are now on the chopping block with Jockey executives saying that CAFTA played no role in their decision. Mr. Emma now blames changes in the industry and the increasing cost of products and raw materials for the loss of local jobs.

Cong. Barrow opposed CAFTA believing it would only shift more American jobs overseas. Jockey has proven him right this week, and Jockey executives appear to speak with a "forked" tongue as local employees face an uncertain future.