Letter to Thomas Perez, Secretary, US Department of Labor - Alcoa Inc. Job Loss

Letter

Dear Secretary Perez

I write in support of the petition filed by employees of Alcoa, Inc. in Massena, New York on December 15, 2015 for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). Specifically, the TAA will support 85 employees who have or will be separated from their work at Alcoa due to hourly reductions.

Alcoa is a leading supplier of alumina and aluminum, an industry that has been adversely affected by the increase in Chinese aluminum productions. In September 2015, Alcoa announced a major restructuring with plans to split into two companies, separating their smelting and refining business from their manufacturing operations. Soon after in November, Alcoa announced as part of their world-wide restructuring, and in response to low primary aluminum prices that some plants would be idled and their employees terminated, including at their Massena site.

This news has dealt a blow to New York's North Country region. The area has a long history with the company, with Alcoa's Massena plant serving as the longest continually operating aluminum operation in the world. With approximately 730 workers and a local economic impact of $340 million a year, Alcoa is one of the largest employers in the North Country.

Certification of this petition will open up eligibility to these workers for much-needed federal benefits, such as job training, income support, job search and relocation allowances and other critical assistance, for these dislocated workers. TAA will provide impacted employees with the necessary support to learn new skills or further develop an existing skill set, eventually allowing them to take advantage of opportunities for new employment.

These announced layoffs will greatly impact a region of the state that already suffers from some of the highest unemployment in New York, so I urge you to give this petition your full consideration and ensure that all available resources are made available to assist dislocated workers and help the broader region recover from this loss.

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