ROSELAND — More than 400 employees are facing an uncertain future as they are unable to return to work following a fiery explosion at the Smitty’s Supply lubricants facility in Roseland. The fire, which started the afternoon of Friday, Aug. 22nd and was 98% contained by Monday, Aug. 25th, burned around 20 acres of the site, destroying the facility and vehicles.
The company sent out information on Thursday, Aug. 29, to former and current employees addressing concerns and questions since the explosive event last Friday.
“There is no doubt that this past week has been one of the most challenging times in your life and the life of Smitty’s Supply in Roseland,” the statement begins.
The company said that while it is still attempting to clarify information to answer questions, there were some additional resources and information available.
“Despite every effort to stabilize operations, the reality is that we are unable to continue production in Roseland at the scale needed to support our current workforce. Already, the company has been forced to make extremely difficult choices to say goodbye to valuable team members who have been part of our success for years,” the company statement reads.
The Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) is setting up resources for those directly impacted by the incident.
On Wednesday, Sept. 3rd, the LWC mobile unit is available for Smitty’s employees to create or update their resumes. The LWC mobile unit will be on-site at the Florida Parishes Arena until 3 p.m. today.
Other employment resources:
- Call the Tangipahoa Parish American Job Center at 985-902-4200
- Search and apply for jobs on HiRE at https://bit.ly/44bS6JK
Geaux Jobs will also be in Amite on Sept. 4th and 5th at the Florida Parishes Arena, along with the Louisiana Workforce Commission Rapid Response Team, to conduct reemployment resources meeting sessions for impacted Smitty’s employees and others. Attendees are asked to use the QR code below to register for a session.
On Sept. 4, a job fair will be held at the Hammond Rec Center (601 W. Coleman Ave., Hammond). A Smitty’s representative will be present to assist any former Smitty’s employees applying for a new job, including making introductions and providing referrals, the company said.
Information about employee vehicles
A statement from Smitty’s Supply said that all vehicles located on the site must be transported to another location for cleaning before they can be released to their owners. Currently, the site is still restricted and under the U.S. EPA’s authority.
Smitty’s will contact employees when they are able to access their vehicles.
Those who have damage to their vehicles from the incident are encouraged to contact their auto insurance companies and file a claim. In addition, Smitty’s is providing the State Insurance Commissioner with the names and contact information for those employees whose vehicles were lost to help with coordinating rentals, deductibles and other expenses.
There is a dedicated Smitty’s claims hotline for current and former employees to request information about and start filing a claim. That number is (877) 891-2276.
Upcoming benefit to help Smitty’s employees
Jasmine Sullivan, the Traveling Momma of 2, is helping coordinate a pastalaya and jambalaya plate fundraiser to directly benefit the employees of Smitty’s Supply. While she does know some employees of Smitty’s, Sullivan said this is about giving back to her community how she can.
“I have a social media platform, and I try to give back whenever I can. Having the platform that I do, I’m able to do this and promote it, and I know it’ll be successful. I just want to help when I can,” she said.
“It’s just a few of us locally who have come together to do this,” Sullivan told UWK. While the fundraiser is not affiliated with or requested by Smitty’s, Sullivan said she has been in contact with the HR department so that the money raised can be distributed to the employees through the company itself.
Pre-orders are expected to begin soon for the event, which is planned for noon on September 13 at Brandon’s (13361 Highway 16 Amite, LA 70422). Plates will be $10 and include pastalaya or jambalaya, green beans, roll and dessert.
For those who can’t attend the event, Sullivan and others have set up a separate online fundraiser where donations can be sent directly. Every dollar raised will go to the employees, she said. To donate, visit here.
“All of us are personally buying the stuff for the pastalaya fundraiser, so that’s our donation so that anything raised from the pastalaya and then the monetary donations at the end, that’ll go directly to HR as well,” Sullivan said.
In addition, there will also be a 50/50 raffle table on the day of the event.
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