Letter to Secretary of the Department of Labor Elaine Chao

SENATOR COLLINS REQUESTS TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FOR DISPLACED DOMTAR WORKERS

August 2, 2007

In a recent letter, U.S. Senator Susan Collins urged Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao to support a Petition for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) for 150 displaced workers of Domtar's plant in Baileyville, Maine.

"This TAA and ATAA assistance is critical for helping Domtar's Baileyville employees get back on their feet during this hardship," noted Senator Collins. "Far too often our dedicated workers are losing jobs because of the impact of foreign competition. Additionally, I will continue to support the Mainers impacted by the Mill closure and make sure they get the aid and resources they need."

The purpose of the TAA program is to aid workers who lose their jobs or whose hours of work and wages decrease as a result of increased imports. If the TAA petition is approved, displaced Domtar workers will be eligible for employment training in another job or career, income support, job search allowance, and relocation services for individuals who obtain jobs outside of their normal commuting area.

A text of the letter follows:

August 2, 2007

The Honorable Elaine Chao
Secretary
United States Department of Labor
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20210

Dear Secretary Chao:

I am writing in support of a Petition for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) filed by the Maine Department of Labor's Bureau of Employment Services on behalf of the 150 displaced workers of Domtar in Baileyville, Maine.

Domtar announced today that it was shutting down the 101-year-old paper machine, which has been operating in Baileyville since 1906. The company operates in a remote, rural area of Washington County that has been particularly hard hit by job losses in the past several years. The impact of these job losses on the economy, and on the employees and their families, has been staggering.

With this in mind, I urge you to give full consideration to the displaced workers' TAA and ATAA petitions, and I ask that a decision be rendered at the earliest possible date. I would appreciate being informed of the final determination as soon as it is made.

Sincerely,

Susan M. Collins
United States Senator

August 2007 Press Releases

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08/02/07
SENATOR COLLINS QUESTIONS JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF NOMINEE

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