(Washington,
D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that the Washington
State Labor Council will receive $225,477, funded through the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, to improve service to employers and workers eligible
for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) in Washington State.
“Washington
is the most trade dependent state in the nation. Overall, trade has created new
jobs and economic growth for Washington state. But in some cases, trade
has disrupted American jobs, and TAA services will continue to help those
workers and communities that have been negatively impacted by trade,” Murray said. “TAA
means the difference between someone who is trapped outside the workforce
without the skills they need and someone who can compete and win in today’s
economy.”
TAA
currently provides job retraining, income support and health care benefits to
workers who have been adversely impacted by federal trade policies. The funding
will be used by the Department of Labor to heighten public awareness of
services and training.
In 2007,
Senator Murray co-sponsored the Trade and Globalization Adjustment Assistance
Act, which expanded Trade Adjustment Assistance beyond manufacturing workers so
that it also covers service-sector workers, streamlines eligibility for
farmers, fishermen and active duty military personnel, increases the health
care tax credit, and establishes a new program for rural communities adversely
impacted by federal trade policies.
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