For Immediate Release:

Tuesday, March 16, 2004

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray, the highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Employment, Safety and Training Subcommittee, today announced that laid-off Boise Cascade Corporation workers in Yakima are now eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), including federal income support, training assistance and a job search allowance.

“I am proud to help provide critical assistance for Boise Cascade workers,” Senator Murray said. “Families who have faced hard times because of circumstances beyond their control have some relief coming their way. I have stood by these workers and will continue to fight to make sure that they have the tools they need to make the transition to new jobs.”

Last year, the U.S. Department of Labor rejected a petition by laid-off Yakima workers for TAA assistance. Since then, Senator Murray worked with the Western Council of Industrial Workers - Local 2739, the Washington State Labor Council and the U.S. Department of Labor to provide additional information which proved to the Department that these workers were eligible for assistance.

Because of the TAA certification, these workers will now be eligible for:

• 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 payment available for 52 weeks after a worker’s state unemployment compensation is exhausted.
• Job Search Allowance: Reimburses workers for approved expenses if successful in obtaining employment outside the normal area.