In a letter today, U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins urged Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis to support a Petition for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for the 130 workers who will be displaced as a result of the closure of the Bumble Bee Foods sardine cannery in Prospect Harbor.
"TAA assistance is critical to helping the cannery's workers get back on their feet during these difficult economic times," said the Senators in a joint statement. "These dedicated workers, many of whom have worked at the plant throughout their entire careers, lost their jobs as a result of restrictive fishing regulations, and the impact of foreign competition from countries whose fish processing industries are heavily subsidized. We will continue to work together to support the Mainers impacted by the plant closure and ensure that they receive the assistance 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 Bumble Bee workers will be eligible for employment training in another job or career, income support, job search allowances, and relocation services for individuals who obtain jobs outside of their normal commuting area.
The full text of the letter follows:
Dear Madame Secretary:
We are writing on behalf of 130 workers at the Bumble Bee Foods, LLC sardine processing facility in Prospect Harbor, Maine. This cannery was the last of its kind in the United States and has been in operation for more than 100 years, serving as the backbone of the region's economy.
The Bumble Bee Foods workers have been displaced through no fault of their own, as a result of the combined effect of new, drastically reduced catch limits and competition with countries such as Canada, whose fishing and fish processing industries are heavily subsidized, allowing higher profit margins based on the same product availability.
As the region's major employer, the closing of this plant strikes a devastating blow to Prospect Harbor and the surrounding towns. These were well paying jobs and many of the employees had worked at the plant throughout their entire career. In addition, given the plant's rural location and widespread, long-term unemployment due to the economic downturn, the likelihood of displaced workers finding comparable positions, to say nothing of jobs offering comparable pay and benefits, is extremely remote, and they may require retraining for other, emerging occupations. Thus, it is crucial that these workers receive certification under the Trade Adjustment Assistance program.
We urge you to review this Trade Adjustment Assistance application in a timely manner, consistent with your rules and regulations, to ensure that the displaced Bumble Bee Foods workers receive the assistance they need to secure work and to help reduce the negative effect that the plant closing will have on their financial stability and the region's economy.
Sincerely,
Olympia J. Snowe Susan M. Collins
United States Senator United States Senator
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