SUNBURY — More than 500 ex-Wood-Mode employees packed the Shikellamy High School gymnasium Thursday nighttime without spending a dime felony advice. Instead, Sunbury lawyer Joel Wiest, of Wiest Wiest-Benner & Rice, of Sunbury, spoke for nearly 15 mins and then opened the ground for questions. “I come right here tonight without a suit or tie,” Wiest instructed the group. “I come right here tonight humbled if you want to provide you any felony assist you all may additionally need. I am no better than any of you, and I need to face with you all and help in any manner I can.”
Esther Kerstetter, of Middleburg, said she changed into a Wood-Mode employee for the past 19 years, and whilst she found out Wiest and his company has been supplying felony assist, she turned into taken aback.
“What a kind and outstanding gesture for us,” she stated. “I am sincerely amazed at the concern and care we are getting from our community.” Kerry Hornberger of Middleburg labored at Wood-Mode for 32 years, and he stated Wiest and the community are doing greater for employees than the enterprise he worked for.
“I am just thankful we are becoming recommendations and getting a few solutions to questions,” he stated.
Dennis Conrad of Sunbury, a 20-year Wood-Mode employee, agreed. “I desired to come back tonight and pay attention and hear what our rights are,” he stated. “I assume this turned into an amazing gesture, and I am thankful,” West spoke about coverage and informed personnel that even though Wood-Mode may additionally have told employees their insurance turned into canceled — it becomes not.
“I can guarantee you they can’t just do that,” Wiest said. “I will make certain to document the paperwork and get this right into a court if any of you are informed you do not have insurance, and we can make certain you all preserve your coverage so long as feasible.” The crowd applauded Wiest. One person yelled from the bleachers, “all of us thanks.” In reaction, Wiest stated he should care less approximately the eye he obtained. Still, as a substitute, he wanted employees and family individuals to get a great night time’s sleep knowing the network changed into on their side.
“The simple answer is you’re all welcome, and I want you all to know that I don’t have all the answers and I do not know everything approximately everything,” Wiest stated. “But I do recognize enough to be risky approximately a lot.” A woman from the crowd passed Wiest a document that discussed personnel’ retirement finances, and Wiest reviewed the materials. “Unless your corporation lied to you,” Wiest said with a pause to a loud burst of snickers from the group. “You can be satisfied with this policy.”
Wiest joked with the crowd and instructed them he would stay within the building till each query turned into spoke back, and he turned into crushed with the response from the personnel. “I predicted five to ten people perhaps,” Wiest said. “I can not agree with how lots of you are right here, and to be honest, below any other circumstance, we might move down to the Americus Hose Co., and we might have one heck of a party.” The crowd laughed, and Wiest stated he was considering all of the pals and he might be there to assist.
Kathy Kauffman, of Sunbury, worked at Wood-Mode for 19 years. She stated she turned into involved approximately criminal issues. However, Wiest eased her mind. “What an exceptional individual and excellent man,” she stated. “He, in reality, cares.” Wiest changed into joined using funding consultant John Machak, of The Wealth Factory, in Lewisburg, representatives of North Penn Legal Services, of Sunbury, a team of workers from the workplace of state Rep. Lynda Culver, R-108, of Sunbury, Brian Falso, of Vandine Insurance, of Shamokin and several network volunteers who surpassed out fliers which instructed ex-employees wherein task festivals could be held and diverse emergency telephones numbers for state and nearby leaders. Wiest stated he might be putting a social media page for Wood-Mode personnel to attain him, and he could answer any questions he could. The event lasted around -hours. Wiest endured meeting with ex-personnel as people have been leaving the health club.
