WASHINGTON,
D.C. – Saying that Congress has already issued a $15 billion check to the
airlines, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today called for immediate
passage of legislation to help the airline workers. The Displaced
Workers Assistance Act would provide financial assistance, training, and
health care coverage to employees of the airline and related industries
who lose their jobs as a result of the attacks on September 11, 2001.
The bill’s chief sponsors are Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt (D-MO) and
U.S. Representative Alcee Hastings (D-FL). This bill is the companion to
S. 1454 in the Senate.
“On
my way back to Washington, an airline employee told me that after seven
years on the job, she expected to be laid off this week. She and
the 100,000 other workers who will be laid off need our help as much as
the industry itself,” Schakowsky said.
“I
am proud to stand with my colleagues in support of the Displaced Workers
Assistance Act. We are ready to help the pilots, the flight attendants,
the baggage handlers, the mechanics, the ticket agents and the hundred
of thousands of workers who have lost their jobs, health care, and income,”
Schakowsky added.
Under
this bill, once individuals exhaust their 26-week state unemployment insurance,
they will be eligible for an additional 52 weeks of cash payments funded
by federal dollars. Those who do not qualify for state unemployment
benefits would receive 26 weeks of federally financed unemployment insurance.
Also, the legislation would provide funds for retraining benefits. In addition,
the federal government would fully reimburse eligible individuals for their
COBRA health insurance premiums. Individuals who do not qualify for COBRA
and are otherwise uninsured would be eligible for Medicaid with the federal
government covering 100 percent of the premiums. These health care benefits
would last for a maximum of 18 months. |