IBEW Local 1632 (Horseheads, NY) fights for "Trade Adjustment Assistance for workers whose jobs were "offshored"

http://www.the-leader.com/articles/2005/01/11/local_news/local05.txt






Schumer seeks help from Pataki

BY Michael Mullaney

Tuesday, January 11, 2005

HORSEHEADS | U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer stumped for more than 1,000 former MT Picture Display workers Monday, calling on Albany to help the laid-off employees get the assistance promised to them.

Schumer, D-N.Y., urged Gov. George Pataki to help secure funds needed to provide extended unemployment insurance and job retraining benefits for the displaced workers.

After laying off 260 employees in December 2003, MT Picture Display was deemed eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance by Washington. But due to a lack of federal money, the company was placed on a waiting list by the New York State Department of Labor, said Mike Lenzner, senior manager of human resources at MT Picture Display.

"We got something that was valueless," he said Monday. "There was just no money available."

When MT Picture Display laid off the remainder of its 817-employee work force last month, there were still no funds available.

Lenzner said securing TAA funding was the main topic last month when the Corning Area United Taxpayers Association met with representatives from the company.

"We've flooded the governor and Senator Schumer with a couple hundred letters," since the meeting, he said.

On Monday, Schumer asked Pataki to secure additional funds from the Labor Department, in order to clear state's wait list.

"The bottom line is that the government should step up and give these unfortunate New Yorkers the help they deserve," Schumer said. "I'm glad we were able to make these benefits available on the federal level but now we need the state to make sure the aid gets to the New Yorkers who so badly need it. These former employees are being forced to start the new year looking for jobs for reasons that are beyond their control - and the state and feds should do everything possible to help them learn new skills and re-enter the work force as soon as possible."

Despite Schumer's push, William Jackson - who represented 631 MT employees as president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1632 - didn't sound optimistic Monday.

"It's really good news if we get the funding," he said. "I stress the 'if.'"

Another public meeting to discuss the TAA situation will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday night in the United Steelworkers of America Local 1000 offices at 100 Civic Center Plaza.

Lernzer said both Sen. Schumer and Gov. Pataki were invited to Wednesday's meeting.










.