Local employment officials will meet Tuesday with former Ironton Iron workers to discuss details of a federal benefits extension.

Thursday, June 08, 2000

Local employment officials will meet Tuesday with former Ironton Iron workers to discuss details of a federal benefits extension.

The One Stop Employment and Training Center will notify by letter more than 600 employees of meeting times, said Edith Hauser, One Stop supervisor.

"Some people might think that if they have exhausted their unemployment, they may not be eligible and that’s not the case," Mrs. Hauser said.

"So we want to try to catch as many people as possible."

The Department of Labor decided Friday that federal Trade Adjustment Assistance can be given to workers because foreign competition contributed to Intermet’s shutdown earlier this year.

Employees who lost jobs on or after Jan. 19, 1999, are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance.

Employees can receive a 52-week extension of benefits while pursuing education and training.

Ohio Bureau of Employment Services customer service representative Jackie Lisath said employment officers in the Ironton office want to make sure all Intermet employees know the benefits of the trade adjustment decision.

"After their regular unemployment is gone, if they’re interested in going back to school or in training, they are eligible to file an application just because the company was awarded this," Mrs. Lisath said.

Tuesday’s meetings – one at 10 a.m. for workers with last names beginning A to L and one at 2 p.m. for those with last names beginning M to Z – will be held in Bowman Auditorium at Ohio University Southern Campus, Mrs. Hauser said.

Workers will fill out two main application forms, receive general information about schooling and benefits, she said.

Each session will last about two hours.

"Afterward, we will talk to people about individual needs or schedule further appointments," Mrs. Hauser said.

Former Ironton Iron employees who currently work at other jobs or attend school, can call 532-8082 to make alternate arrangements to apply instead of coming to the meetings.

Still, it’s important that all workers attend the meetings if possible because there are requirements for receiving the extra benefits and Tuesday’s meetings will be the only ones held, she added.

"We encourage anyone who worked for Ironton Iron to come Tuesday no matter if they’ve used up their unemployment, are in school or working," Mrs. Hauser said.

They are eligible to apply for more benefits and they need to fill out the required forms, she said.

Specific benefits of Trade Adjustment Assistance include:

– Training for employment in another job or career. Workers may receive up to 104 weeks of approved training in occupational skills and basic or remedial education.

– Income support known as trade readjustment allowances (TRA) are weekly cash payments available for 52 weeks after a worker’s unemployment compensation benefit is exhausted and during the period in which a worker is participating in an approved full-time training program.