BOSTON – Senators John Kerry and Edward Kennedy, along with Congressmen James McGovern and Barney Frank today urged Labor Secretary Elaine Chao to approve Massachusetts’ request for a National Emergency Grant to assist hundreds of workers who lost their jobs.  The Fall River company was recently forced to close its doors and lay off its employees due to competition from foreign textile manufacturers. 

 

“A National Emergency Grant would provide workers the immediate assistance they desperately need.  Because they were not given any advance notice of the plant closing, they were unable to prepare a transition to a new job.  They need help – and they need it now,” said Senator Kerry. “I strongly urge Secretary Chao to immediately approve this funding and give our constituents the help they need to survive.”

 

Senator Kennedy said, “The closing of Quaker Fabrics has left its employees with sudden and extraordinary financial hardship, and I urge the Department of Labor to take quick action to provide immediate assistance to these families.”

 

“I urge the Department of Labor to strongly consider the state’s NEG grant application.  The NEG program is a vital tool in our efforts to get the workers at Quaker Fabric the retraining they need,” said Congressman McGovern.

 

"Federal law sadly provides too little help for victims of our mistaken trade policies. At the very least, what is legally available should be provided without delay," said Congressman Frank.

 

 

 

The text of the letter is as follows:

 

                                                                                    July 25, 2007

 

The Honorable Elaine Chao

Secretary

Department of Labor

200 Constitution Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20210

 

Dear Secretary Chao:

 

We are writing in support of the application submitted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for a National Emergency Grant (NEG) to assist workers who recently lost their jobs as a result of the Quaker Fabrics plant closing in Fall River.  The Commonwealth has requested $2.2 million to assist 500 Quaker employees. 

 

As you know, the sudden closure of the Quaker Fabrics plant has placed great hardship on its employees, many of whom had family members also employed at the plant.  Quaker has requested Trade Adjustment Assistance funding for its employees, and we strongly support that request.  A NEG, however, will provide immediate assistance and complement the Commonwealth’s efforts over the past two weeks to provide guidance and job training for Quaker’s employees. 

 

Given the severity of the Quaker plant closing, we hope you will use your authority to quickly approve the Commonwealth’s application and help our constituents during this difficult time. 

 

Thank you for your attention to our request.

 

Sincerely,

                                                                                                           

John Kerry
Edward Kennedy
James McGovern
Barney Frank

 

 

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