Congresswoman Bonamici Announces Trade Adjustment Assistance for Newberg Mill Employees Affected by Layoffs

Department of Labor Approves Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for Training, Education Benefits for Workers

WASHINGTON, DC [03/08/16] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) announced that the Department of Labor (DOL) has approved Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) petitions for workers who have been affected by the recent layoffs at the Newberg WestRock paper mill. Approximately 200 Newberg mill workers are eligible for the TAA program, which provides training and education benefits and other services. When the application was filed, Congresswoman Bonamici urged the Department of Labor to quickly approve the TAA petition submitted by the Newberg workers.

“Our workers need and deserve this assistance, and today’s announcement is a step forward to helping the community,” said Congresswoman Bonamici. “Since the mill’s closing, I’ve been in close contact with the Department of Labor to help the Newberg Mill workers. Providing this assistance is critical for workers who lose their job through no fault of their own, which is why I’ve repeatedly supported legislation to renew the TAA program.”

In June, Congresswoman Bonamici voted for the continuation of the TAA program. TAA for workers includes four types of benefits: reemployment services, trade readjustment assistance that includes a weekly income support for workers who have received all their unemployment insurance and who are enrolled in a training program, reemployment trade adjustment assistance for employees who are 50 and older and are reemployed at a lower wage than at their previous job, and a health coverage tax credit.