ETA News Release: [August 26, 2004 ]
Contact Name: Lorette Post
Phone Number: 202-693-3984
U.S. Department of Labor Announces $378,000
In Aid for Dislocated Workers in Maryland
WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced a National Emergency Grant of $378,000 to aid 189 workers who lost their jobs for trade-related reasons. An initial amount of $112,500 will be made available immediately.
"The President and I want to ensure that these workers dislocated by trade are given the resources they need to prepare for new careers in good paying jobs," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "This grant for $378,000 ensures that workers found eligible for TAA assistance receive support services, including career assessment, counseling, case management, transportation and child care."
These workers also qualify for up to 104 weeks of training and two years of income support. The government will also pay up to 65 percent of their health insurance premiums. And, if workers are over the age of 50 and qualify for the Alternative TAA program, the government will pay 50 percent of the wage differential if they get a new job that pays less than their old job.
The grant, awarded to the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, will fund services not covered under the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. The trade-certified workers who will benefit are from seven companies around the state -- Meadwestvaco, Lion Ribbon Company, Carr Lowrey, GST AutoLeather, Renaissance Mark, CHC Industries, and Nevamar.
These funds may also be used for training if fiscal year 2005 TAA funds are not sufficient to cover all fiscal year 2004 training expenses or to pay for upcoming fall and winter semesters.
Maryland received a base TAA allocation of $518,178 for fiscal year 2004 and recently was awarded $284,129 in TAA reserve funds. With the present national emergency grant, the total funding available this year for trade-certified workers in the state reaches nearly $1.2 million.
National Emergency Grants are part of the Secretary's discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet specific guidelines.
For more information on the Department of Labor's employment and training programs, please visit www.doleta.gov.
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