In new letter to Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia, the lawmakers urged support for a recently filed Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) petition to assist the more than 700 workers at Alcoa’s Intalco plant
ICYMI: Lawmakers Call on Alcoa to Negotiate with Workers to Save Jobs at Intalco Facility – MORE HERE
ICYMI: Intalco Closure Highlights Trump’s Failed Trade Policies – MORE HERE
Lawmakers: “It is of paramount importance that these workers receive the retraining and reemployment resources available through TAA certification”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Led by U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and U.S. Representative Suzan DelBene (D-WA, 1st), a group of Washington state lawmakers yesterday wrote to U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia in support of a Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) petition filed by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers for the more than 700 workers at Alcoa’s Intalco plant in Ferndale. The TAA petition would provide the workers with the training and resources to quickly regain employment. Senator Murray and Representative DelBene were joined on the letter by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Representative Rick Larsen (D-WA, 2nd).
“The Intalco plant is one of the largest employers in Whatcom County and supports many indirect jobs in addition to the 700 workers at the facility itself. Therefore, it is of paramount importance that these workers receive the retraining and reemployment resources available through TAA certification. Such a certification will allow them to get back on their feet more quickly, support their families, and continue making critical contributions to their communities and our economy,” the lawmakers wrote.
Following Alcoa’s announced curtailment of the Intalco plant on April 22nd, the four lawmakers wrote to President Trump, urging him and his administration to prioritize resolving the issue of excess Chinese aluminum capacity, which has depressed prices in the global market and harmed American businesses and workers, specifically in Washington state. The lawmakers also sent a letter to the President and CEO of the Alcoa Corporation on May 6th urging the company to cooperate with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers to find a solution to the forthcoming layoffs at Alcoa’s Intalco facility in Ferndale, WA.
Read the full letter below or HERE.
The Honorable Eugene Scalia
Secretary
U.S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20210
Dear Secretary Scalia:
We are writing in support of the recently filed Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) petition to assist the more than 700 workers at Alcoa’s Intalco plant in Ferndale, Washington, who are being displaced due in large measure to increased global supply from countries like China and a corresponding reduction in the price of aluminum.
The Intalco plant is one of the largest employers in Whatcom County and supports many indirect jobs in addition to the 700 workers at the facility itself. Therefore, it is of paramount importance that these workers receive the retraining and reemployment resources available through TAA certification. Such a certification will allow them to get back on their feet more quickly, support their families, and continue making critical contributions to their communities and our economy.
We urge you to review this TAA application timely, consistent with all applicable rules and regulations, to ensure that these trade-affected workers receive the assistance they need to obtain employment services and maintain their financial stability.
Thank you for your consideration on behalf of the workers at Alcoa’s Intalco plant in Ferndale.
Sincerely,
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