Listening to People: Plant Closings

A Study Paper of the Lutheran Church in America (1983)

On May 20-21, 1983, a group of LCA members from nine synods met in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. They included persons who were recently unemployed and those who had been out of work for many months, spouses of unemployed persons and counselors of the unemployed, corporate executives and union representatives, persons involved in community organizations to address unemployment and members of the clergy. They came together to share their insights and feelings about the causes and effects of plant closings and unemployment.

The following statement is addressed to their brothers and sisters in the church. It is not to be construed as an official statement of policy of the Lutheran Church in America.

WE BELIEVE THAT GOD CARES
We believe that God cares for each of us. We believe that what happens in people's lives is of the utmost importance to God and to each of us. We believe that we, as the church, must address the causes and consequences of unemployment in light of our living faith.

We affirm the church in addressing the issue of plant closings.

We believe the church should address the issue in its ministry with persons who are victims of plant closings.

We further believe the church should address the systemic causes that allow for widespread movement of capital and job displacement due to plant closings.

A CALL TO THE CHURCH
We call on the Lutheran Church in America to commission a comprehensive study of the effects of plant closings on people and their communities; to develop and distribute a resource manual outlining effective methods for synods, church-related agencies and congregations to use in building local programs that assist unemployed persons; and to expand its teachings on the intrinsic worth of all God's people in order to counteract the societal attitude that equates human value with status, productivity, or income.

We call on the church to commission a comprehensive study of the causes of structural unemployment and at the same time to develop and implement strategies for response that involve both the public and private sectors. The LCA Social Statement on Economic Justice should serve as a guideline for the development of such strategies.

We call on the church to address the systemic issues surrounding plant closings by:

- Advocating legislation that will require socially responsible decisions regarding plant closings
- Providing support for individuals and community organizations working to develop local ownership of resources. Such support should include, as appropriate, revolving loan funds, grants, and staff support.
- Informing LCA members about legislation related to all aspects of unemployment.
- Providing opportunities for LCA members to receive training in political effectiveness.
- Serving as a catalyst to promote trust and dialogue between labor, management, and government.

We call on synods and their appropriate agencies and institutions to minister with persons hurt by unemployment by:

- Providing opportunities for cluster meetings where unemployed persons can develop networks that enable peer employment counseling, job referrals, talent banks, and job retraining.
- Supporting conferences that help pastors and lay persons develop skills in working with unemployed persons.
- Creating a revolving loan fund to provide emergency mortgage relief and an emergency assistance fund to help meet basic needs of unemployed persons.

We call on synods to be especially sensitive to congregations in places where unemployment is a severe problem and to offer whatever support is possible.

We call on bishops to consult with other denominational and community leaders in order to identify and carry out cooperative responses to issues of unemployment.

We call on congregations to support unemployed persons in their communities by:

- Creating revolving loan funds that encourage local economic health, development or redevelopment.
- Supporting or creating local crisis centers, social service agencies, and community action groups.
- Publicizing the availability of governmental assistance programs for unemployed persons.
- Encouraging mutual support such as sharing of personal talents for work exchanges, sharing information about job opportunities, providing child care and transportation assistance for persons seeking work.

CONCLUSION

The church is unique. It is both a community and an institution. In the community are gathered persons from the labor force, from management, and from government. The church can be a healing community. It can be the setting where trust and understanding replace suspicion and insensitivity.

As an institution the church can carry out its prophetic ministry. It can seek out and define the causes of unemployment. In its efforts to bring about just and equitable solutions to the problems of unemployment, the church can speak to its own members, and it can address other private and public institutions as well.

As the church, we ask the church to hear us.