06.17.02

Cantwell Applauds Federal Assistance for Simpson Timber Workers

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced that 75 laid off Simpson Timber workers from Shelton, Washington are eligible for federally funded training assistance, income support and a job search allowance. These benefits are the result of the U.S. Department of Labor's certification of Simpson Timber workers' petition for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) under the Trade Act of 1974.

"I am pleased that Simpson Timber 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."

Simpson Timber laid off the workers at its Olympic Plywood operation in Shelton because of poor market conditions. The Shelton Woodworkers Local of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers filed a petition asking the U.S. Department of Labor to rule that these layoffs were trade related. The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration ruled affirmatively last week.

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 Simpson Timber workers 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.