Michigan: Employees displaced after U.S. Marble closure encouraged to seek support from state and local partners

Release date: Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020
Contact: Camara Lewis, 517-930-4928

LANSING, Mich.– After approximately 150 employees lost their jobs when U.S. Marble in Remus, Michigan, closed on Friday, Jan. 10, the State and partners at West Central Michigan Works! stand ready to assist displaced employees with wage and benefit collection, unemployment benefits and job placement services.

U.S. Marble, a longtime manufacturer of specialty stone countertops and other fixtures, decided Friday afternoon to shut down operations effective immediately. After receiving complaints that U.S. Marble payroll checks were unable to be cashed due to non-sufficient funds and that certain paid time off and other benefits are not being paid to employees, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) jumped in.

"U.S. Marble failed to file a WARN notice so receiving complaints was the first we heard of the closing. We immediately jumped in as we're committed to protecting hardworking Michiganders and ensuring they receive wages and benefits for time worked LEO Deputy Director for Labor Sean Egan said. "This commitment includes helping those who are affected by layoffs and closures by providing them the services needed to achieve success – it's our hope we can give these hardworking individuals justice and peace of mind."

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LEO encourages affected employees to file an Online Wage and Benefit Complaint form. Anyone filing a complaint alleging non-payment of wages or fringe benefits must do so within 12 months of the alleged violation. To learn more about wage and benefit claims, contact Wage and Hour at 855-464-9243 or learn more at Michigan.gov/wagehour.

Displaced workers may also qualify for unemployment insurance benefits. The Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) provides temporary income to workers who have lost their job through no fault of their own, such as layoffs or plant closures.

Unemployed workers should file their claim the first week they become unemployed. A claim for benefits begins the week it is filed. For faster service, the UIA recommends that claimants apply for benefits online through the Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM). Filing online is easy, convenient and available 24 hours a day.

UIA also has 13 Unemployment Insurance Local Offices around the state to provide in-person help for customers with unemployment insurance claims. To file for unemployment contact UIA Customer Service at 1-866-500-0017, TTY 1-866-366-0004; Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. or visit at Michigan.gov/uia.

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The resources used to support the employees of U.S. Marble are available to all displaced Michigan workers.

For those seeking re-employment, Michigan Works! service centers stand ready to connect displaced workers with local area employers interested in hiring, in addition to aligning them with local career and training services. To find a local Michigan Works! service center, visit MichiganWorks.org.

Filed Under: Government, State

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