News release, Apr. 14, 1998B

Georgia Department of Labor
Suite 642 148 International Boulevard N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1751 (404)656-3032

April 14, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WARRENTON AREA WORKERS MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR TRA/NAFTA BENEFITS

ATLANTA -- State Labor Commissioner Marti Fullerton said today that former employees of Healthtex, Inc., in Warrenton may be eligible for compensation under provisions of either the federal Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 or the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Implementation Act of 1993.

About 75 workers, engaged in the production of children's apparel, may be affected. The plant closed March 20.

Claims for these workers may be filed on Wednesday, May 6, at the Human Development Center, 9128 East Warrenton Road in Warrenton.

The Georgia Department of Labor's Thomson office at 232 Main St. serves the area. The telephone number is (706) 595-3665. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The TRA and NAFTA petitions filed on behalf of the employees of the company who lost their jobs due to foreign import competition were approved by the U.S. Department of Labor on Feb. 17. The petitions cover workers who became totally or partially separated from their jobs on or after March 11, 1998, and Dec. 22, 1996, respectively. Workers covered under both TRA and NAFTA petitions must choose under which program to file claims.

NAFTA legislation provides assistance to workers adversely affected because of imports from Canada and Mexico or shifts in production from the United States to those countries.

Under the federal law, former workers who are determined to be eligible could receive a total of 78 weeks of jobless benefits, which would include 26 weeks of regular unemployment compensation, plus up to 52 weeks of TRA or NAFTA benefits. Eligible recipients must be either enrolled in approved training, or have that requirement waived, to receive the weekly federal benefits. The maximum weekly benefit amount is $224.

Claimants will also receive other assistance, including employment counseling, testing, job search grants, placement services and relocation benefits. All available benefits will be discussed individually with each claimant at the time the claim is filed.

NEWS MEDIA NEEDING MORE INFORMATION SHOULD CALL THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS AT (404) 656-3032.

E-mail: communications@dol.state.ga.us.

FY-98-512

An Equal Opportunity Employer

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