For Immediate Release

December 21, 2001

LABOR DEPARTMENT APPROVES ASSISTANCE
FOR PORT TOWNSEND PAPER WORKERS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U. S. Department of Labor informed Congressman Norm Dicks today that it has approved a request for special re-employment assistance filed on behalf of Port Townsend Paper Co. workers affected by the closure of the company’s paper bag production operations.

        The Labor Department  approved the petition filed by PACE International Union, representing workers who received furlough notices in late October, for assistance in response to foreign competition under U.S. trade laws.  The aid is provided to workers at American firms who are unemployed due to jobs that are shifted to Canada or Mexico.  Today’s determination by the Labor Department recognizes that a shift of kraft paper and paper container manufacturing to Canada has occurred.

         The federal agency’s decision means that any of the 90 affected workers at Port Townsend Paper will be eligible for a broad array of re-employment benefits, including extended unemployment, additional specialized training or educational programs, and various expenses related to securing new jobs, the congressman said.

        “This federal program – Trade Adjustment Assistance – was designed to provide a comprehensive assessment of each worker’s skills, interests and personal financial situation in order to develop an individual re-employment plan to help them secure new jobs,” said Rep. Dicks.   “In similar uses of this program authority in Washington State, the concept has been remarkably successful in helping employees transition to new employment,” the congressman added.

        Rep. Dicks was also successful in adding an important provision to legislation approved this month by the House of Representatives, reauthorizing the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA).  His provision would correct a disparity that now exists, which delays access to TAA benefits for workers in Washington State.  The Senate is expected to approve the reauthorization legislation early in 2002. 

        According to the Labor Department, once eligibility is certified, workers are provided a broad range of adjustment services, including:

Re-employment services such as career counseling, job placement assistance services, supportive services, skills assessment, job development and job search assistance and referrals.

Training for employment in another job or career.  Workers may receive up to 104 weeks of approved training in occupational skills, basic or remedial education, or training in literacy or English as a second language.

Income Support, known as trade readjustment allowances, are weekly cash payments available for 52 weeks after a worker’s unemployment compensation benefits are exhausted and during the period in which a worker is participating in an approved full-time training program.  Income support is a combination of unemployment compensation and trade readjustment benefits for a maximum of 82 weeks in Washington State.

Job Search and Relocation Allowances which provide reimbursement for approved expenses while hunting for and/or relocating to a new job.

        These re-employment services will be coordinated by the Washington State Employment Security Department.

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