WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins and Representative Mike Michaud today sent a letter to Department of Labor Secretary Elaine Chao requesting that she approve the State of Maine’s request for National Emergency Grant (NEG) assistance for the displaced workers at Katahdin Paper Company in Millinocket. The Katahdin mill was forced to close its doors recently due to increased imports and competition from foreign paper producers.
“National Emergency Grant funding is critically needed to support the reemployment efforts of the workers at Katahdin Paper Company,” the delegation said. “We need to continue our efforts to ensure that the displaced employees receive the assistance they need to help get them and their families through these difficult times.”
Recently, the delegation successfully advocated for federal Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for the workers. The TAA funds will help the workers with a variety of employment services and benefits to help them get back on their feet as quickly as possible.
Since the company announced the closure of the mill, Senators Snowe and Collins and Representative Michaud have visited the mill and met with union, town and mill officials to discuss alternative options for keeping the mill open. The delegation also worked with U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, Fraser CEO Peter Gordon, Mill Manager Serge Sorokin, Governor John Baldacci, and Town Manager Gene Conlogue to ensure that the mill’s workers have access to every available resource in the wake of a mill closure.
National Emergency Grant funds assist displaced workers with reemployment efforts, including recruitment, outreach, assessment, job skills transferability analysis, case management, business outreach and job development and placement.
9/29/2008 5:31:08 PM
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| Washington DC 1724 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515-1902 Phone: 202-225-6306 Fax: 202-225-2943 |
Bangor, Maine 23 Water Street Suite 205 Bangor, ME 04401 Phone: 207-942-6935 Fax: 207-942-5907 |
Lewiston, Maine 179 Lisbon Street Ground Floor Lewiston, ME 04240 Phone: 207-782-3704 Fax: 207-782-5330 |
Presque Isle, Maine 445 Main Street Presque Isle, ME 04769 Phone: 207-764-1036 Fax: 207-764-1060 |
Waterville, Maine 16 Common Street Waterville, ME 04901 Phone: 207-873-5713 Fax: 207-873-5717 |
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