Georgia

Department of Labor

NEWS RELEASE

SUITE 642



(404) 232-3685

148 INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD, N.E.



ATLANTA, GA 30303-1751



FAX (404) 657-9996 Communications@dol.state.ga.us

Michael Thurmond
Commissioner

Sam Hall
Director of Communications

June 2, 2008... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Commissioner Thurmond announces that Trade Act Assistance approved for former MI Windows and Doors workers in Millen

ATLANTA - State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said today that about 230 former employees of MI Windows and Doors in Jenkins County may be qualified for additional reemployment assistance as a result of the certification of a Trade Act petition.

MI Windows and Doors is a subsidiary of J. T. Walker Industries, including on-site leased workers from WillStaff Worldwide. The company, which manufactures windows and doors for houses, is located at 336 Magnolia St. in Millen.

The Trade Act petition has been certified by the U.S. Department of Labor, which has determined that the workers lost their jobs due to increased foreign competition. Former employees of the company who were, or will be, laid off due to lack of work between December 10, 2006, and May 23, 2010, may be eligible for the Trade Act benefits. The Georgia Department of Labor is currently providing assistance to the workers. A TRA/TAA orientation has been scheduled by the labor department for Monday, June 9, at 1:30 p.m. at the Ag Center, 434 East Barney Ave. in Millen.

"The layoff at MI Windows and Doors is not only creating a difficult situation for the workers and their families, but also is having an economic impact on the Jenkins County area," said Commissioner Thurmond. "I'm pleased that the U.S. Department of Labor has approved this additional assistance for the workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. This means that significant additional resources, including job training, will be available to help them get back to work as quickly as possible."

Reemployment assistance that may be available to former employees includes employment counseling, job search, job placement, relocation assistance, remedial education, General Education Development (GED) diploma preparation, occupational training, and health insurance tax credit. Additional unemployment insurance benefits may be available for up to 130 weeks for individuals who qualify to enroll in education or training programs approved by the Georgia Department of Labor.

Former employees of MI Windows and Doors who are interested in finding out if they qualify for any of these benefits or want to obtain more information about reemployment assistance should call the Georgia Department of Labor's Augusta Career Center at (706) 721-3131. Employees may also get assistance at the on-site Georgia Department of Labor Jenkins County Career Transition Center, located at 856 Cotton Ave. in Millen. The telephone number is (478) 982-5256.

NEWS MEDIA NEEDING MORE INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685 CY-08-233