Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 8, 1990 TAG: 9003081808
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: MADELYN ROSENBERG NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"These benefits will help soften the blow for the more than 1,000 employees of AT&T's Fairlawn plant," Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, said in a news release.
The funding, known as Trade Readjustment Assistance, will enable workers to pursue job training they might otherwise be unable to afford, Boucher said.
Employees receive the assistance while they train for or actively seek new jobs.
AT&T officials announced at the end of January that they would be closing the Fairlawn operation and moving the manufacture of electronic components to other plants. Ten percent of the work is expected to go to an AT&T plant in Mexico. The other 90 percent will shift to a plant near Dallas.
The government program, which the employees' union applied for under the Trade Act of 1974, helps retrain employees who lose their jobs as a result of increased imports.
"There are provisions for plant closings affected by foreign competition," said Jay Walters, manufacturing director at the Fairlawn plant. "It's a rather broad-based law. It doesn't mean you have to be put out of business by foreign trade."
Some laid-off AT&T workers began receiving the assistance last year when the plant began scaling back its work force. Walters said officials met with representatives from Boucher's office last week.
"They said because of the closing, there were some additional funds we could have," he said. "They indicated they would be reapplying for them."
Walters said he had not heard Tuesday evening that the workers would receive the funding or how much they would receive.
"It's beneficial," he said. "This provides federal assistance along with what we're giving the workers. It's a good thing."
In addition to the weekly benefits, Boucher said employees are eligible to apply for job search and relocation allowances.
The job search allowance is for people looking for work beyond their community or commuting area. If workers find employment in another area, the program provides money to help them move their families or households.
According to a bulletin issued by the Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance, weekly Trade Readjustment Assistance generally is the same amount as the state unemployment insurance benefits employees receive. The amount varies from person to person. The money is available after unemployment insurance runs out.
Eligibility periods vary according to time worked and benefits received.
Boucher said workers must be making satisfactory progress in an approved training course or actively job hunting to receive the payments.
by CNB