Job-Seekers Hope For Work On Mack's Assembly Line

A lot of local job-seekers started the day hoping to snag a spot on Mack Trucks' assembly line.

The line of applicants stretched around the block outside CareerLink's offices on Union Boulevard in Allentown this morning. Applications were also accepted in Reading and in Jim Thorpe, Carbon County.

"I've been laid off for over a year now and I don't plan on going back," said one of the applicants, Leatha Spaits, who worked as a machinist at Victaulic for 17 years.

Spaits said her husband, a 23-year employee at Victaulic, is also being laid off.

Mack Trucks recently announced it would be adding 125 positions at its plant in Lower Macungie Township, Lehigh County.

In just a few hours, 250 people applied for the positions of production technician and spray painter.

After union call backs, it's estimated only 40 to 50 jobs will be left.

The majority of people in the line had a few things in common.

They've been out of work for a while, they are specialized in other fields, and they are willing to learn something new in order to land a job.

"It is tough out there, especially if you have a certain type of career background and those jobs have disappeared and you try to transition into something else," said Sam Jones.

Frederic Reed worked as a forklift operator and, like many people, was laid off because of the troubled economy. He said he was surprised more people didn't come out to apply.

"A lot of people are out of work, a lot of people looking, so you know when an opportunity like this comes up, everybody is going to be pretty much applying," said Reed.

CareerLink will hold several recruitment sessions this week.

The new hires will start in October.

Officials said the most powerful tool you can have is a resume that is fitted for the position.