For Release: Friday, February 4, 2005
David Gillies: 202-225-5661
Washington - Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) has received confirmation from the U. S. Department of Labor that former workers of Hawk Motors, located in Alton, will be eligible for trade adjustment assistance and alternative trade adjustment assistance due to import competition from Mexico. The workers produced components for electric motors.
The decision reads, "All workers of Hawk Motors., Alton, Illinois, who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after December 27 , 2003 through two years from the date of certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance.and are also eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance.."
"Trade adjustment assistance allows the displaced workers to receive additional unemployment benefits, job training, relocation expense reimbursement, and other services," Costello noted. "I will continue to work to change the trade laws that result in jobs leaving this country, and I will work to maintain funding for this assistance to employees in the federal budget."
Eligible workers for alternative trade adjustment assistance - those who are over the age of 50, make less than $50,000 annually, work full-time and find a new job within 26 weeks - can receive up to 50% of the wage difference, up to $10,000, between the wage on a new job and their old job for up to two years.
###