NEW YORK: Today, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) announced that she is co-sponsoring a bill to provide relief to airline and airport workers who have lost their jobs due to the terrorist attacks of September 11. To date, more than 100,000 airline employees have been laid off in the wake of the tragedy, a number that is almost certain to rise.

The Displaced Workers Relief Act of 2001 would ensure that airline and airport employees who lost their jobs receive fair unemployment, health and job training benefits. Last week, with Maloney's support, Congress passed the Air Transportation System Stabilization Act to provide $15 billion in relief to keep the nation's airlines flying and to compensate victims.

"Tourism is New York's second-largest industry, so keeping our nation's airlines in business will keep New York City in business," said Maloney. "But we also need to help airline and airport workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own -- and who work in an industry that probably won't be hiring any time soon. The Displaced Workers Relief Act not will not only provide relief to working men and women who are suffering financial and emotional pain; it will stimulate our fragile local and national economies."

The bill would extend unemployment benefits from 26 to 78 weeks; provide 26 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits for workers who would not otherwise qualify; extend job training benefits from 52 to 78 weeks; and provide up to 78 weeks of federally subsidized COBRA premiums and provide optional temporary Medicaid coverage for those workers without COBRA.

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