Walz, Klobuchar and Coleman press Chao for TAA benefits for laid off workers

Just in from Congressman Walz's office:

Today, in a letter to Department of Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, Congressman Tim Walz and Senators Amy Klobuchar and Norm Coleman requested that the Department act quickly to provide Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) benefits to workers being laid off at the TRW facility in Winona, Minnesota.  According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, nearly 100 workers will be laid off Friday, as a result of TRW shifting jobs from its Body Control Systems unit in Winona, Minnesota to Mexico.

"Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits were designed to help workers and families hurt by shifts in production to foreign countries.  In a small community like Winona, these benefits will be essential to getting families back on their feet," said Walz.  "TRW's layoffs demonstrate the all too real impact of poorly designed trade deals on our local economies.  Now more than ever, during this economic downturn, American workers need to know that lawmakers have their backs."

"Especially in these tough economic times, this support is even more important for the workers and their families as well as the entire community," said Klobuchar. "We must stand up for our workers and ensure
that they receive the benefits they've earned. With prices high and jobs few, assistance needs to come sooner rather than later."

"The workers at TRW lost their job through no fault of their own," said Coleman.  "In these trying economic times, it is important that they receive the support they need to get their feet back on the ground. This situation is a perfect example of why I have been a strong supporter of the Trade Adjustment Assistance program.  It is my hope Secretary Chao will listen to our concerns and act quickly to provide these critical benefits for the nearly 100 Minnesotans who are grappling with job loss."

Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers provides assistance to qualified workers who lose their job as a direct result of increased imports or shifts in production out of the United States.  Under TAA, workers whose unemployment compensation has ended and who are in approved training may receive Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA) for a maximum of 130 weeks. Some workers age 50 or older are eligible to receive Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance for Older Workers (ATAA,) a wage supplement in lieu of training and TRA benefits.  Under TAA, workers can receive benefits including training opportunities, job search assistance, relocation benefits and income supplements.  They also receive a Health Coverage Tax Credit.

In today's Winona Daily News story, Coleman, Franken visit Winona, Franken cited Coleman's support for tax policies that encourage businesses to move jobs out of the country. Coleman defended himself by citing his work with Klobuchar and Walz i n asking for the TAA assistance.

A copy of the letter can be downloaded here [pdf file]