Governor Lynch Requests Trade Act Assistance To Help Collins & Aikman Employees

Governor Lynch Requests Trade Act Assistance To Help Collins & Aikman Employees

Gov. John Lynch announced today that the state has assisted Collins & Aikman in applying for Trade Adjustment Assistance to help workers who will be laid off from Collins & Aikman in Dover and Farmington.

"New Hampshire state government is committed to doing everything possible to assist workers affected by the planned closure of the Collins & Aikman facilities in both Dover and Farmington. Trade Adjustment Assistance would provide critical aid to workers to help them get back to work quickly," Gov. Lynch said. "Our state Rapid Response team is already working to provide assistance, and supporting this application for federal aid is an important part of that effort."

Earlier this month, the Michigan-based automotive parts manufacturer announced plans to close its Farmington and Dover plants in March, impacting about 255 employees. The state's Rapid Response team continues to work with employees and company management.

Trade Adjustment Assistance helps workers who lose their jobs because of increased imports, or shifts in production to foreign countries. The program provides eligible workers with career counseling, training, income support during training, job search assistance, access to a health coverage tax credit and relocation allowances.

A petition for assistance was sent to the U.S. Department of Labor on Friday by the New Hampshire Department of Employment Security. Generally, it takes 40 days to determine whether eligibility requirements have been met.

http://www.nh.gov/governor/news/2007/012207.html