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SPILYAY TYMOO
Warm Springs, Oregon
October 21, 1988 PAGE 7
WSAI to celebrate second anniversary October 27
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W7(fmf "Aajy "Jim rtw worked at WSA I for about two months. He appears to enjoy his job.
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Judy Johnson is the bookkeeper for WSA J
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Patterns are mass cut before they are stitched together.
In the two years since Warm Springs Apparel Indus
tries turned on their machines, business has picked up.
The increase in business has meant that the garment
factory has had to turn prospective contracts down due
to lack of manpower.
Even though there is a shortage of employees, the
factory continues to buzz with thesound of high-speed
sergers and sewing machines. The workers are cur
rently turning out tights and shorts for Duffle Insport
(JMA Associates), a wholesale merchandizing com
pany based in Beaverton.
"We've had an ongoing contract with JMA Asso
ciates almost since the time we opened, said Russ
Piped tights are stacked in portable bins before they are
hemmed.
WSAI also has other benefits including weekly pay
days, good hours (7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.), five-day work
weeks with weekends off, year 'round employment and
a comfortable, polution-free work environment.
Quarterly bonus payments are made to individual
workers when they exceed their basic rate. Also, when
an employee recruits a new worker and the new worker
remains at the plant six months, the recruiter receives a
$100 savings bond.
Turnovwer rate has been relatively high, says Wins
low. Many employees cite the lack of child day care the
reason for leaving.
Not only is WSAI good for employees, the factory is
Winslow, WSAI Manager.. WASI has also had.con- Jgood for.. the. community .as well. The benefits for .
tracts with NIKE, Pyke, Helly Hensen, Performance
Bikes, Kernts and Unica producing fleece shirts and
shorts, basic knit shirts and various other clothing
items.
The apparel factory starting wage is $3.35 an hours.
However, if the employee produces high quality work
at a high rate of speed, they can earn more than the
minimum wage. WSAI is the only enterprise in the
tribal structure in which employees can give them
selves a raise through concientious, timely work.
employees and the community are synonymous. In
addition to improving self-esteem among employees.
skills and attitudes gained at the plant can be beneficial
to the individual andor any other departments.
To celebrate their second anniversary, WSAI will
have a sale Thursday, October 27 from 1 1:30 a.m. to
1:30 p.m. at the plant. For sale will be sweatshirts,
shorts and many other items, including fabric. A spe
cial bless:ng ceremony and open house is planned for
Friday, November 18.
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Theda Whalawitsa has worked at the plant for about a year.
Spools of fabric await to be cut.
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