Laid-off GM workers share expertise with Catholic institutions

Published: 2007-04-03

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (CNS) -- When the General Motors assembly plant in Linden closed in 2004 because of lagging sales, longtime employees Vincent Garrote and Frank D'Arcio were among several hundred who had a lot of free time on their hands but nowhere to use their skills. However, thanks to the Jobs Bank program GM created with the United Auto Workers, both men were able to find places to keep busy, get paid and help others at the same time. As part of the contract, which expires in September, Garrote and D'Arcio may only work in company-approved activities, such as community service, and still get paid. D'Arcio, of Colonia, began working at St. Peter the Apostle High School in New Brunswick in March 2006 after telling Kathleen Joyce, the principal, about his situation. Both are members of St. John Vianney Parish, also in Colonia. "I told her, 'All you have to do is provide a signature. I provide 40 hours of labor a week and GM pays. You buy the parts and I can install whatever you want,'" D'Arcio said. Garrote, a GM employee for more than 30 years, does maintenance work five days a week at Emmaus House, a retreat and conference center operated by the Diocese of Metuchen near his home in Perth Amboy.

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .