US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) issued the following statement today after the Vermont Department of Labor learned its petition on behalf of IBM workers was partially approved:
‘Trade Adjustment Assistance helps workers whose jobs are lost as a result of companies shipping U.S. jobs overseas. Congress established this provision to protect workers impacted by various trade agreements.
‘I appreciate that the U.S. Department of Labor ruled on behalf of IBM’s Williston workers. I am dismayed, however, they have not yet ruled in favor of those Vermonters who worked on the Essex Junction campus. My office has contacted the Department of Labor to express our strong support for all of these employees who have lost their jobs at IBM. I strongly believe all of these workers deserve to receive Trade Adjustment Assistance and I will pursue this matter vigorously.’’
On June 21, 2013, the Vermont Department of Labor filed a Trade Act (TAA) petition with the USDOL on behalf of the Dislocated Workers from IBM from both the Essex Junction and Williston work sites.’ ‘ The USDOL Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance has notified the Vermont Department of Labor that our petition on behalf of IBM workers has been partially approved:’
TAA (Current) Approval:
‘After careful review of the facts obtained in the investigation, (USDOL) determine that workers of IBM Corporation, Silicon Solutions Engineering and Electronic Design Automation, Williston, Vermont, who are engaged in activities related to the supply of memory design services, meet the worker group certification criteria under Section 222(a) of the Act, 19 U.S.C. ‘§ 2272(a). In accordance with Section 223 of the Act, 19 U.S.C. ‘§ 2273, I make the following certification:’ ‘All workers of IBM Corporation, Silicon Solutions Engineering and Electronic Design Automation, including on-site leased workers from Asic North, Correct Designs, Infotech Enterprises, and Computer Task Group, Williston, Vermont, who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after June 21, 2012 through two years from the date of certification, and all workers in the group threatened with total or partial separation from employment on the date of certification through two years from the date of certification, are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Chapter 2 of Title II of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended.’’ ‘ (Signed by TAA officials in Washington, D.C., on December 4, 2013).’ ‘ (Note: The Trade Act date goes back one year from date of filing, to June 2012; Trade Act also allows workers of other businesses impacted by the layoffs to potentially qualify for TAA, which is why you see sub-contracted workers listed in the approved petition).
There are several important aspects to this approved petition.
‘
‘
Workers approved under ‘TAA Current Approval’ (see above), should closely examine the benefits that are available under the TAA program; see the info listed at the end of this letter.
Attend the VDOL’s TAA seminars (schedule will be announced soon).
Contact the Vermont Department of Labor Career Resource Office in your local area to meet with a VDOL staff person who can assist you. Our 12 regional office addresses can be found at:’
http://labor.vermont.gov/Portals/0/WF%20Development/Resource%20Center%20...
The Vermont Department of Labor refiled the petition on Tuesday, 12/24/13 to ask USDOL to amend its decision to include the dislocated workers from IBM Essex Junction plant.’ ‘ The Vermont DOL’s original petition included the Essex Junction site, so we are not able to explain why the USDOL did not include those workers in the decision.’ Senator Bernie Sanders has been working closely with our office to support Vermont DOL’s request for the expanded approval’, said Labor Commissioner Annie Noonan.
‘The IBM workers who worked at the Essex Junction site have not yet been approved under this recently received TAA certification.’ As such, the Vermont Department of Labor needs information in support of VDOL’s refiled petition, which must focus on why we believe that the dislocated workers were impacted by foreign competition, increased imports or certain shifts of production to other countries. We are seeking the assistance of the dislocated workers from the Essex Junction plant to gather this data’, said Noonan.’ VDOL is asking for this information to be sent to VDOL’s Director of Workforce Development Rose Lucenti at’ [email protected]; or call her at’ 802-828-4151, as soon as possible.
BURLINGTON, Vt, Dec. 26, 2013 ‘’ US Sen Bernie Sanders. VDOL.