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Durbin, Obama Ask Department of Labor to Help Displaced Motorola Workers

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC – In the wake of 180 new layoffs in Central Illinois, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today sent a letter to United States Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Elaine L. Chao requesting that DOL be prepared to immediately assist displaced workers Motorola.

“Motorola’s decision to close the Urbana-Champaign Design Center will have a significant impact on this downstate community,” said Durbin. “We must do everything possible so that these employees have all the help they need to find new jobs.”

“These workers were laid off through no fault of their own, and it’s our obligation to ensure they have the training and opportunities they need to transition to a new job,” said Obama. “While global competitive pressures will lead to additional layoffs in America, we must never lose our focus on creating good-paying jobs here at home and helping those who lose their jobs find new opportunities.”

Today, Motorola announced a decision to close its Urbana-Champaign Design Center in Illinois. The Design Center develops and tests software for use in Motorola cellular phones. One hundred and eighty-three of the employees at the Illinois facility located in Champaign County will likely lose their jobs as a result of this closing.

In the letter, Senators Durbin and Obama asked the Department of Labor to assist the displaced workers in switching to new jobs: “Specifically, we request that the Department help Motorola employees transition into new jobs. These workers will require: career counseling and job search assistance; information about unemployment insurance; opportunities for education and training; and information about their health benefits and pension options. ”

Text of the letter appears below:

The Honorable Elaine L. Chao
Secretary
United States Department of Labor
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20210


Dear Secretary Chao:

We are writing regarding Motorola's decision to close its Design Center in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. This decision will have an impact on hundreds of our constituents, and we request the assistance of the Department of Labor (DOL) in helping displaced Motorola workers.

We want to make sure that if these plans go forward, the individuals in Illinois who will lose their jobs will have immediate access to the full range of DOL programs and services. Specifically, we request that the Department help Motorola employees transition into new jobs. These workers will require: career counseling and job search assistance; information about unemployment insurance; opportunities for education and training; and information about their health benefits and pensions options.

We appreciate your timely consideration of this request. We look forward to working with you to provide them with the help they require.


Sincerely,

Richard J Durbin
United States Senator

Barack Obama
United States Senator