SNOWE, COLLINS ANNOUNCE ALTERNATIVE TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FOR NORTHEAST WOODTURNING, INC. WORKERS IN WEST FARMINGTON, MAINE

WASHINGTON, DC – Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME), today announced that Northeast Woodturning, Inc. workers in West Farmington, Maine have been granted Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The wood-turning manufacturer located in West Farmington is closing its doors due to a decline in demand as a result of increased imports from other countries.

"This Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance is critical for the older laid-off workers of Northeast Woodturning, Inc.," said Snowe and Collins in a joint statement. "The funds provided by this assistance will aid the workers in learning new skills so that they are able to rejoin the workforce as quickly as possible."

Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) is a program for older workers displaced by trade. It is granted if a significant number of workers at the firm are age 50 or over and possess skills that are not easily transferable.

Because the TAA and ATAA petitions were approved by the Department of Labor, the displaced workers of Northeast Woodturning, Inc. will have access to such benefits as training, education, job search and relocation allowances, and re-employment services including counseling, interview training, and resume assistance. Health care tax credits and unemployment benefits extensions are also established for a company that has received TAA certification.