The clothmaker. [volume] (Clinton, South Carolina) 1952-1984, December 15, 1988, Image 16

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Year in Review ’88 was positive year for Clinton Mills The 1988 year is about to end. As De cember’s days gradually become part of history, we are afforded an excellent oppor tunity to reflect upon the past twelve months and recall the significant happenings which we will long remember. January recorded the re-structuring of certain management responsibilities within the Clinton organization. Effective Jan. 4, positions of Vice President-Operations; Assistant Vice President; and Assistant Treasurer were created. Also, during the month the company an nounced that it had entered in a letter of intent with North American Lace Com pany, Inc., to purchase substantially all of the assets of North American Lace Com pany and its wholly owned subsidiary, Some Safety Tips 1. If you do not understand your job or the Safety Rules of the company, ask your supervisor about any details which are not clear. 2. Report immediately all accidents, however slight, to your supervisor. 3. Do not wear loose or “baggy” clothing around machines. 4. Do not stand on boxes, roving cans, trucks or machines. 5. Never use compressed air hose to blow off clothing. Use air hose only when authorized to do so. 6. Always wear goggles when using air hose, when grinding, drifting or drilling. 7. Always wear a respirator when required by work practice or exposure limits 8. Keep bobbins and waste off the floor. 9. Keep aisles and passageways clear. 10. Report to supervisor all oil and water on floor as soon as noticed. 11. Report to your supervisor any defective machinery, guards, mi croswitches, interlocks or other equipment. 12. No running or horseplay is permitted in the plants. 13. Always use handrails on stairs. 14. Before starting a machine, be sure no one is working on it. 15. When lifting, bend your knees, lift with legs and keep your back straight Be sure the load is not too heavy for you. Ask for help if you need it. 16. In case of lights going out, wait for emergency lights to come on before going to an exit. 17. Always be careful when walking over wet floors. 18. Do not bring glass containers to work. 19. Only authorized persons should use maintenance department equip ment. 20. Never pull boxes behind you. 21. Smoke only in authorized areas. 22. Keep long hair away from machinery. 23. Never remove or modify safety nozzle on air hose. Oxford Fabrics Company. January also brought extremely cold and ice weather, but most employees braved the elements to get to work when scheduled. When February began, employees were apprised that Phase II of its S ubstance Abuse Police would begin on Feb. 8. This phase pertains to “For Cause” testing as outlined, in the company policy. Also, during the month the Company announced it was making several signifi cant improvements and changes in its Health Care Plan. In this revision, daily room and board rates were increased from $.121 to $131, weekly Accident and Sickness Bene fits expanded from 13 to 26 weeks, and the lifetime major medical benefits increased from $400,000 to $500,000. The Company also noted that if the medical costs trend continues upward, the contribution rate may have to be revised when the plan is re viewed in 1989. March brought the usual enthusiasm from high school graduates as seniors from Clinton, Geneva, EFA and Clinton Mills Sales filed for the Company sponsored scholarships. The traditional Easter season was ob served as a paid holiday during April On April 15, the Company posted it^ Sexual Harassment policy. It is the policy of “Qinton Mills to provide associates an environment free of any harassment based on their race, color, sex, age, religion, citi zenship statues, or national origin.” Many employees who were making plans to make real estate purchases welcomed the news whereby the Clinton Credit Associa tion would make loans on undeveloped real estate up to $30,000 with a repayment schedule up to 10 years. May brought graduation plans for em ployees who had sons and daughters reach ing this plateau in their educational career. June found employees enjoying the sum mer months and making plans for the tradi tional July 4th vacation week. On June 14, the company announced it would stop Plant No. 2 the week ending July 31 for a week due to a continued depressed market in 100% cotton fabrics. After the July 4th vacation, employees returned to their plants, and in late July par ticipated in an Employee Attitude Research survey. Employees were given an opportu nity to express their ideas and feelings about their job and workplace. August brought “back to school” chal lenges to many employees as their children — and in some cases employees them selves — returned to the classroom. September marked the observance of traditional Labor Day and also signalled the ending of the summer season. On September 14 the company an nounced the sponsorship of a “Skills Im provement Program” which is designed to provide assistance in the upgrading of basic skills in reading, writing and arithmetic through the study for a high school equiva lence certificate. October brought a group of political, civic, agricultural and business leaders to tour Plant No. 1 as the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce and Clemson Ex tension sponsored the 9th annual Farm/ City Tour. November afforded employees an op portunity to express their “thanks” for all their blessings as the Company observed Thanksgiving Day as a paid Holiday. During November, every employee par ticipated in an Employee Appreciation Day. The occasion afforded the company an opportunity to express its appreciation for the many contributions employees make toward its success. December has been a very eventful month. Santa Claus paid his visit to the plants, Christmas gifts were distributed, old timers had an opportunity to enjoy cookies and coffee when picking up their gifts, and Christmas vacation pay was dis tributed. Also, during December the company announced plans to provide a group dental assistance program for all full-time activie employees and their eligible dependents. Needless to say, 1988 has been an im portant year in the history of Clintoq Mills. Challenges and opportunities have been abundant. Virtually everyone has met them with success. It is the Company wish that everyone will enter 1989 with the same spirit of loyalty and enthusiasm that has always prevailed with the Company. Editor: Mac Parsons Bulk Rate Published by: Laurens County Newspapers. Inc. Clinton. S.C. 29325 U.S. Postage PAID Clinton, S.C. Permit No. 59 ClothMaker