Former employees of two now-closed manufacturing plants in Ohio – Cabletron and Goodyear – are now receiving school tuition, funds for job searches and extra cash to pay household bills.

Friday, January 07, 2000

Former employees of two now-closed manufacturing plants in Ohio – Cabletron and Goodyear – are now receiving school tuition, funds for job searches and extra cash to pay household bills.

The money comes from a $6 million U.S. Department of Labor grant and is part of local, state and federal leaders’ plans to assist workers in the search for new jobs or careers.

Some of those leaders came to Ironton Thursday to explain details of the grant.

It’s true that the millions will ease the devastating effect of 1,000 jobs lost last year in Ironton alone. And it will ease the financial burden of families trying to make it while mom or dad, and sometimes both, struggle to find a new line of work.

The community is thankful for the much-needed help. But not every family will receive the help they need, and that is a shame.

Most Cabletron workers saw unemployment benefits run out in December. Those not in retraining or using financial aid to find a job are probably without income now.

Ironton Iron employees await a similar fate this year, when assistance ends before the healing is finished.

City leaders are appealing to the labor department to extend unemployment benefits to Cabletron workers, because of the unusual number of jobs lost recently, and they likely will take similar action on behalf of Ironton Iron workers.

Now all that remains is a legislative push. Our elected representatives need to stand firm behind us, and convince the labor department to approve the extension.

So, call, write, e-mail or do whatever it takes to get the message across. Recovery can come quickly but only if we all pull together.