01.21.03

Cantwell Announces Federal Assistance for Vaagen Brothers Lumber Workers

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced that 87 workers who will be laid off from Vaagen Brothers Lumber in Republic, Washington would be eligible for federally funded job training assistance, income support, and a job search allowance. These benefits are the result of the U.S. Department of Labor's certification of Vaagen Brothers Lumber workers' petition for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) under the Trade Act of 1974. Cantwell helped secure approval of Vaagen's TAA petition.

"I am pleased that Vaagen Brothers Lumber workers are getting this much-needed assistance," Cantwell said. "TAA provides important support for training and education for a very talented workforce. This announcement gives these workers and their families more certainty about their futures."

Vaagen Brothers Lumber Republic sawmill has been a pillar of the Ferry County community since 1942, and is the largest non-government employer in the county with an annual payroll of approximately $6 Million, 20 percent of the entire payroll of the county of 2500 citizens.

The mill has to close because of a couple of factors: the decrease in the available timber from federal lands and the flow of Canadian-imported lumber that floods the timber market.

Cantwell, a member of the Commerce Committee, remains committed to improving the state’s economy in focusing on jobs, growth, and economic opportunity for every corner of Washington state.

TAA was established under the Trade Act of 1974. The TAA program provides aid to workers who lost their jobs or whose hours of work and wages are reduced as a result of increased imports. The program offers a variety of benefits and services to assist unemployed workers to prepare for and obtain suitable employment. Workers may be eligible for training, job search and relocation allowances, income support and other reemployment services. Cantwell has been a leader in the Senate for advocating TAA training and Workforce Investment Act training programs.

Eligible laid off Vaagen Brothers Lumber will be entitled to:

Training: workers may receive up to 104 weeks of approved training in occupational skills, basic or remedial education, or literacy training. Income Support: Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA) are weekly cash payments available for 52 weeks after a worker's unemployment compensation is exhausted. Job Search Allowance: reimburses workers for approved expenses if successful in obtaining employment outside the normal commuting area.