Courtney, Osten Laud U.S. Labor Department Decision Certifying Caraustar Employees as Eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance

Press Release

Congressman Joe Courtney and Sprague First Selectman Cathy Osten today hailed the U.S. Department of Labor's decision certifying that Caraustar employees are eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). Under the TAA program, workers whose employment is adversely affected by increased imports are eligible for reemployment services to help them train for and find new jobs. Workers may also be eligible for relocation allowances, income support and other reemployment services. Courtney wrote to the Department of Labor urging assistance for Caraustar employees earlier this month.

"It is critical that we do all we can to help workers who have lost their jobs in this tough economy," said Congressman Courtney. "The retraining and reemployment services TAA offers can help men and women bounce back quickly, and give them the skills they need to compete. I am pleased with the Department of Labor's decision, and hope it helps people who lost their jobs through no fault of their own."

TAA would help 79 workers at Sprague's Caraustar plant. The workers are scheduled to be laid off in January -- a move the company announced on December 2.

"At this time of the year and under this difficult situation, the hope provided by the Department of Labor's decision provides a mechanism for people to compete for new jobs," said Sprague First Selectman Osten. "I am pleased with the quick response of the Department of Labor."

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