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it meant he would not have to involuntarily furlough someone else.
Direct employees are paid a base salary of $4.75 an hour, said Currence. but many earn bonuses for exceeding production quotas. Before the cutbacks some top performers were earning $8 an hour, or more. With the work week reduced to three or four days, however, very few can produce enough to qualify for the bonus pay.
Although the employees on furlough or reduced hours can continue their health insurance, many cannot afford the payments, said Mrs. Wharton.
Aileen Inc. maintains few foreign factories, but it does have a manufacturing plant in the Dominican Republic. The clothing produced by this plant does not bear the Aileen label, but is sold to other commpanies or outside contractors.
The corporation has two new stores opening this month, in Michigan and California, said Currence. “The more stores, the more sales,” he said. The corporation closed down its Culpeper store and plant a few years ago.
Outlet sales a year ago were averaging $1.7 million weekly nationwide, said Currence, and are averaging $1.2 to $1.4 million a week today. They need to pick up some before the Flint Hill plant resumes full employment and production.
Some workers are afraid the Flint Hill plant will never regain its former level of employment, and may even close down completely. “Many people are scared that this is the end,” said Mrs. Wharton.
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