Vermont Department of Labor to hold information session Wednesday for trade-impacted workers from IBM and Huber+Suhner

The Vermont Department of Labor will be holding an information and sign up session Wednesday, January 15 for the laid-off workers from IBM and Huber+Suhner who have been certified by the USDOL as ‘Trade Adjusted.’
On December 3, 2013, the USDOL Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) responded to the Vermont Department of Labor’s petition on behalf of the laid-off workers from IBM (and its contractors listed below), and on December 17, 2013 for the workers from Huber+Suhner. The USDOL determined that workers of IBM Corporation in Williston, and all of the workers of Huber+Suhner, are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance under Chapter 2 of Title II of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended. ‘The Vermont Department of Labor is inviting any employee who may be part of these specific displaced worker groups to the meeting.’Affected employees have been individually contacted earlier this month by the Department to advise them of this informational session.’‘
‘The Vermont Department of Labor filed a Trade petition in June on behalf of all the 419 laid-off IBM workers. The USDOL certified only workers at Williston.’Vermont DOL again requested that all the IBM workers be determined ‘trade certified’, and we are awaiting a response from USDOL.’Senator Sanders and his staff have been in direct contact with USDOL and IBM on this matter.’I think we have made a strong case on behalf of the IBM Essex Junction workers, and are hopeful that USDOL will respond quickly and affirmatively’, said Labor Commissioner Annie Noonan.’
For tomorrow’s session for the Trade Affected Workers, the Vermont Department of Labor will have presentations on the TAA and TRA benefits, and staff available to meet individually with employees to help them complete paperwork, and set up meetings for follow up services.
Wednesday January 15, 2014
Sheraton Conference Center
870 Williston Road, Burlington, Vermont
Registration from 8:00am to 9:00am
Presentation will begin at 9:00 AM
Notes: The Vermont Department of Labor will also host sessions for other ‘Dislocated Workers’ from Chittenden and Franklin counties later this month.’‘
In the case of IBM, the USDOL approved the petition on behalf of’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 December 4, and all workers in the group threatened with total or partial separation from employment on December 4, 2013 through December 4, 2015.
In the case of Huber & Suhner, the USDOL approved the petition on behalf of the employees of Huber + Suhner Inc., a subsidiary of Huber & Suhner North America, including on-site leased workers from Spherion, Essex Junction, Vermont, who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after October 29, 2012 through December 17, 2015;’and all workers in the group threatened with total or partial separation from employment on December 17, 2013 through December 17, 2015, are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Chapter 2 of Title II of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended.
‘