Contact: Rose Lynch, 608-266-6753
Neenah – Governor Jim Doyle announced today the availability of additional reemployment services for all workers of P.H. Glatfelter Company, dba Glatfelter, Neenah Facility, Neenah, Wisconsin, who became totally or partially separated from employment due to decreased sales, production and employment.
“I am pleased that we are able to offer assistance to these workers,” Governor Doyle said. “Some of Wisconsin’s most hard working and highly motivated workers have faced tough economic times, and this additional federal funding will help them get back into the workforce.”
On April 27, 2006, Glatfelter announced the permanent closure of its Neenah facility, which is to take place June 30, 2006, affecting 192 workers. The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) petitioned the U. S. Department of Labor to certify these former workers as eligible for this assistance.
The services, administered by DWD, are available through local Job Centers. The services are funded through the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. They include retraining and reemployment services tailored to meet the needs of the individual workers. Former workers of Glatfelter may be eligible for up to $12,000 worth of assistance for job training, tuition, and books, and may also be eligible for two years of re-training allowances at $341 a week while in training. Major activities and services for which these workers may qualify are:
- Training for employment in another job or career.
- Income Support, known as trade readjustment allowances (TRA).
- Job Search Allowance to cover expenses incurred in seeking employment outside normal commuting areas.
- Relocation Allowances for approved relocation expenses to relocate to a new area of employment.
“This federal funding will increase our capacity to serve all workers in the area, as we reconnect unemployed workers to employment as quickly as possible,” said DWD Secretary Roberta Gassman.
The Department of Labor also determined that affected workers are eligible to apply for Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA), which is available to workers aged 50 or over who possess skills that are not easily transferable. Qualifying workers who obtain new employment within 26 weeks of their separation can receive a wage subsidy to help bridge the salary gap between their old and new employment. The program was designed to provide assistance to workers for whom the retraining offered under the regular TAA program may not be appropriate.
Individuals interested in receiving reemployment assistance should contact a local Job Center or visit the DWD Internet site http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dws/programs/dislocated/default.htm. Call 888/258-9966 toll-free to find the nearest Job Center location.
